Pagani Zonda Riviera sells for over $10 million at auction

What’s New and Saving RVers Money on the Road this Season? (Even ESPN Is Using It)

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December 5, 2025

What’s New and Saving RVers Money on the Road this Season? (Even ESPN Is Using It)

RV life runs on shared wisdom. You meet someone at a campground or a rally, swap a few stories by the campfire, and walk away with a new route or a better idea for keeping travel costs down.

One thing that keeps coming up in conversation lately is a new membership called RV Complete Club. It’s designed to help RVers save on three of the biggest travel costs: fuel, campground stays, and repairs. The app is easy to use, and it’s already helping travelers keep more money in their pockets. And it gets even more interesting when you realize the same app that helps RV snowbirds cut costs is also routing an ESPN production crew from stadium to stadium.

So, What Exactly Is RV Complete Club?

RV Complete Club is a new membership from RV Complete, a service platform that offers extended coverage plans, roadside assistance, and other support for RV owners. It was created in partnership with Blue Compass RV to give travelers a simple way to save money on the road.

For $39 a year, members get access to discounts in three key areas:

Fuel, Propane, and Dump Services: Savings at more than 600 Love’s Travel Stops across the country, including fuel, propane, overnight parking, and dump station fees. (Not available in New Jersey and Wisconsin)
Campground Stays: Up to 20% off nightly rates at more than 500 participating parks. Locations are guided by reviews from RV LIFE Campgrounds and include well-known names like Sun Outdoors, Bluewater, and Northgate Resorts.
Service and Parts: At least 10% off or up to $200 per visit at participating Blue Compass RV dealerships nationwide.
Everything is managed through the RV Complete app, which makes it easy to find discounts along your route, schedule service, and manage your protection plans while you travel.

How RVers Are Leveling Up the App

The RV Complete app works well on its own, but many RVers are pairing it with other tools they already use. RV LIFE Pro members, for example, can plan their route in RV LIFE Trip Wizard, then open the RV Complete Club app to see where discounts match up with their stops. The two apps work side by side: Trip Wizard handles the planning, and RV Complete highlights the savings.

Some travelers also use the Love’s app to check fuel station details before pulling in, like fuel types, dump stations, and overnight parking options. Each app serves a different purpose, but together, they make trip planning easier and more affordable.

Who’s Using It? Just About Everyone

RVers travel in all kinds of ways. Some hit the road every summer. Others squeeze in a few long weekends whenever they can. Plenty live on the road full-time. And this time of year, a whole lot of them are snowbirds heading south for the season.

That’s the thing about RV Complete Club; it works no matter how you travel. People are using it differently, but they’re using it for the same reason: to save a little money where it counts.

And it turns out it’s not just the usual suspects relying on this setup. Even some surprisingly big names are using the same combination of tools.

From seasonal trips to stadium tours, here’s a look at how RV LIFE Trip Wizard and RV Complete Club are working together in very different kinds of travel.

Trip route from Buffalo to Tampa showing RV LIFE Trip Wizard.

From Snowbirds to the Big Leagues

What connects snowbirds heading south with an ESPN crew on a Monday Night Football countdown? The same app.

This winter, plenty of RVers are heading south, mapping out multi-stop routes from northern states to Florida, Texas, Arizona, and beyond. On one route from Buffalo to Tampa, an RV LIFE Pro member used RV LIFE Trip Wizard to plan his journey, then checked the RV Complete Club app to see where he could save along the way. Here’s what that trip looked like:

Five campground stops (two nights each): $158 saved
Six fuel stops: $16 saved
Total trip savings: $174

He’s Not the Only One Using that Combo

The fully wrapped Class A motorhome branded for Monday Night Football countdown on ESPN.

Earlier this season, Blue Compass RV partnered with Disney Advertising and became the preferred RV dealer featured during Monday Night Football countdown on ESPN. As part of the campaign, a fully wrapped Class A motorhome (branded for Monday Night Football countdown on ESPN) began traveling across the country with ESPN’s production crew.

The team planned the route from Chicago to Baltimore with RV LIFE Trip Wizard and paired it with the RV Complete Club app to find fuel and travel discounts. That trip alone saved them $60.

The route from Chicago to Baltimore with RV LIFE Trip Wizard. It was paired with the RV Complete Club app to find fuel and travel discounts.

A Simple Way to Stretch Your Travel Budget

RV travel isn’t getting cheaper, but tools like RV Complete Club make it a little easier to stay on the road without breaking the bank. Whether you’re a full-timer, a snowbird, or just planning your next weekend’s adventure, it’s one more way to cut down on the costs that add up fast.

Pair it with apps you may already be using, like RV LIFE Trip Wizard or the Love’s app, and you’ve got a solid setup for savings without changing the way you travel.

Download the RV Complete Club App

Man credits Grok AI with saving his life after ER missed near-ruptured appendix

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December 5, 2025

Man credits Grok AI with saving his life after ER missed near-ruptured appendix

Tesla ranked in the Top 10 of the most reliable car companies for 2026, as Consumer Reports’ latest index showed significant jumps from the past two years.

In 2022, Tesla ranked 27th out of 28 brands. Last year, it came in 17th.

🚨🚨 Tesla entered the Top 10 in Consumer Reports’ list of reliable carmakers for the first time

In the past two years, Tesla has ranked 17th in 2024 and 27th out of 28 brands in 2022.

Subaru, BMW, Porsche, Honda, and Toyota were the Top 5 OEMs in the rankings. pic.twitter.com/z216bccVoH

— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) December 4, 2025

However, 2026’s rankings were different. CR‘s rankings officially included Tesla in the Top 10, its best performance to date.

Finishing tenth, the full Top 10 is:

Subaru
BMW
Porsche
Honda
Toyota
Lexus
Lincoln
Hyundai
Acura
Tesla

Tesla has had steady improvements in its build quality, and its recent refinements of the Model 3 and Model Y have not gone unnoticed.

The publication’s Senior Director of Auto Testing, Jake Fisher, said about Tesla that the company’s ability to work through the rough patches has resulted in better performance (via CNBC):

“They definitely have their struggles, but by continuing to refine and not make huge changes in their models, they’re able to make more reliable vehicles, and they’ve moved up our rankings.”

He continued to say that Tesla’s vehicles have become more reliable over time, and its decision to avoid making any significant changes to its bread-and-butter vehicles has benefited its performance in these rankings.

Legacy automakers tend to go overboard with changes, sometimes keeping a model name but recognizing a change in its “generation.” This leads to constant growing pains, as the changes in design require intense adjustments on the production side of things.

Instead, Tesla’s changes mostly come from a software standpoint, which are delivered through Over-the-Air updates, which improve the vehicle’s functionality or add new features.

Only one Tesla vehicle scored below average in Consumer Reports’ rankings for 2026 was the Cybertruck. Fisher’s belief that Tesla improves its other models over time might prove to be true with Cybertruck in a few years.

Tesla Cybertruck gets reviewed by Consumer Reports

He continued:

“They’re definitely improving by keeping with things and refining, but if you look at their 5- to 10-year-old models that are out there, when it comes to reliability, they’re dead last of all the brands. They’re able to improve the reliability if they don’t make major changes.”

Regarding Subaru’s gold medal placing on the podium, Fisher said:

“While Subaru models provide good performance and comfort, they also excel in areas that may not be immediately apparent during a test drive.”

Other notable brands to improve are Rivian, which bumped itself slightly from 31 to 26. Chevrolet finished 24th, GMC ended up 29th, and Ford saw itself in 18th.

2022 BMW X3MC – Individual

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December 5, 2025

From Showpiece to Heartbreak – 22 BMW X3MC – Individual – British Racing Green (312)

Update 11/16/25

From Showpiece to Heartbreak: The Story of My Stolen BMW X3M

Closter Police Department Incident Update

Date: December 29, 2024

Location: Closter, NJ

The Closter Police Department is investigating a home invasion and vehicle theft that occurred on the evening of December 28, 2024.

The investigation began after Edison Police contacted Closter Police regarding a vehicle registered to a Closter resident that had been involved in two residential burglaries in Edison. Edison officers later pursued the vehicle, but the pursuit was terminated for safety reasons.

Closter officers responded to the owners residence and discovered that the vehicle had been stolen and the home had been burglarized. Investigators determined that a gray Hyundai sedan, bearing Virginia registration [removed], arrived near the residence around 8:30 p.m. on December 28. The suspects then stole a green BMW SUV, bearing New Jersey registration [removed], from the property. The Hyundai was left behind, parked and running.

As of the morning of December 29, the stolen BMW was being detected by license-plate readers in Newark. The investigation is ongoing in coordination with multiple law enforcement agencies.

Final Thoughts

This one hits close to home. The British Racing Green BMW X3M wasnt just another project it was one of those builds that captured everything we love about what we do at Detailers Domain. From the day it arrived, we treated it like a showcase: full paint correction, SunTek Ultra PPF, ceramic coating, and meticulous finishing touches that brought out the deep richness of that rare BRG paint. It wasnt just a car it was a statement piece.

To have it stolen, violated, and involved in something criminal its gutting. Cars like this represent hours of craftsmanship, pride, and passion. For me and the team, its not about the material loss; its about seeing something youve poured yourself into taken and abused.

We always talk about protection PPF, ceramic coatings, film, tint but this experience is a reminder that real protection also means vigilance, awareness, and community. Were grateful to the Closter and Edison Police Departments for acting quickly and keeping us informed as the investigation continues.

The BMW X3M may be gone, but its story reminds us why we do what we do: preserving beauty, celebrating the passion of enthusiasts, and protecting what matters most.

Lessons Learned: Protecting What You Love

If youre a car enthusiast especially one with a high-value or customized vehicle here are a few lessons that came out of this experience:

Invest in layered security. Beyond factory systems, consider GPS trackers, hidden kill switches, and garage cameras connected to real-time alerts.

Stay aware of trends. Vehicle theft rings are increasingly targeting performance SUVs and modern BMWs using relay attacks and key-signal cloning.

Keep documentation updated. VIN photos, plate numbers, insurance, and receipts the more you have ready, the faster police can act.

Build a network. Enthusiast communities like the BMW forums, local car groups, and detailing shops often spot cars before authorities do.

Share your story. Awareness helps others protect themselves and it honors the time, energy, and craftsmanship behind every build.

Remembering the Build

Before it was taken, this BMW X3M was a perfect expression of what Detailers Domain stands for precision, protection, and passion. From its full-body SunTek Ultra Paint Protection Film to Nanolex Si3D Cerabide HD ceramic coating, this car reflected the best of what we do every day for our clients.

Well always remember the deep gloss of that British Racing Green under the shop lights, the way it looked rolling out for delivery, and the pride our team felt seeing it complete.

While this story doesnt have the ending we hoped for, its a reminder of the connection between people, cars, and the work we love. At Detailers Domain, every project tells a story sometimes of transformation, sometimes of loss, but always of passion and pride.

Update –

The car was recovered 10/31/25, and in the final posts, we have updated the current state of BRG. The recovery of the vehicle has given us complete closure.

—————————————–

The car

Since the car market has been absolutely crazy, and for the first time it’s been pretty much seller’s market. I decided to sell my 2020 BMW X3MC in Alpine White (leased with equity) for a 2022 BMW X3MC in an individual color, my buddy over at Bridgewater BMW, Jon Del Franco helped make it happen. Also thanks to Vito at BMW NA!

I loved everything about the 2020 but the horrible oem suspension! Remedied that with a set of KW V3’s!

The new car’s options below:

Exterior color – British Racing Green (312)

Interior – tartufo

Carbon Fiber Trim

Executive Package

Front Ventilated Seats

M Brakes in Black

Competition Package with 892M wheels

M Sport Seats

Here are some shots, better photos to come

Pick up at Bridgewater BMW

Wrapped with some scrap Xpel PPF we had at the shop for the ride home. We wrapped the high impact areas. So cold that I could only hope that it would make it back home without flying off.

Got the car back to the shop.

Next step

remove the factory wrap
remove wheels to clean
clean caliper and prep for ceramic coating
ceramic coat wheels
ceramic coat brake calipers
ceramic coat KW V3
install KW V3’s
install Future Classic 12MM Spacers

BMW X3MC – British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr
BMW X3MC – British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr
BMW X3MC – British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr
BMW X3MC – British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

Notice Factory Ride Height

BMW X3MC – British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

BMW X3MC – British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

BMW X3MC – British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

Notice the paint is really flat on the rockers, let’s see if we can fix that during the light paint correction work.

BMW X3MC – British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

BMW X3MC – British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

Wheels off

IMG_2328 by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

Cleaning wheels with Nanolex Wheel Cleaner and Iron Remover, followed by prepping the wheels with Fictech Paddock to prep for Nanolex Si3D HD Ceramic Coating – same process for coating the brake calipers

BMW X3MC – British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

BMW X3MC – British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

90D024CF-6B48-47B1-884F-E797DB622CBB by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

BMW X3MC – British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

BMW X3MC – British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

BMW X3MC – British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

BMW X3MC – British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

Future Classic 12 MM Spacers were brought over from the 2020 and fit great!

A6F824CD-D27C-4613-9FEA-F088530986FF by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

KW’s installed, Future Classic Spacers installed.

Wheel liners treated with Nanolex Trim Rejuvenator

BMW X3MC – British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

775D8DF5-F068-46FA-A86A-46A280E62B30 by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

More of our new car prep

Remove Door Handles, Emblems, Grills, Fender Gills, Taillights, Window Trim, and Mirrors for a clean PPF installation
Inspect paint for defects
Correction if needed
Polish out Glass
Ceramic Coat Glass

2022 BMW X3MC British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr
2022 BMW X3MC British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr
2022 BMW X3MC British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr
2022 BMW X3MC British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

Paint inspection was going well till the front end … holograms on the front bumper, and unfortunately due to the PPF not holding up during the drive home the film was flapping around and caused some damage as well, marring from salt and adhesive from the film.

Scangrip Handheld used to inspect the paint

2022 BMW X3MC British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

Holograms on the bumper

2022 BMW X3MC British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

Damage caused by the PPF that was flapping all over the place during the ride home, temps were 18 degrees F.

2022 BMW X3MC British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

2022 BMW X3MC British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

Some paint correction needed with the Rupes Bigfoot LHR15 MKIII and Koche Chemie Fine Cut (Rupes DA Wool Yellow followed by Rupes DA Yellow Foam)

2022 BMW X3MC British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

2022 BMW X3MC British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

2022 BMW X3MC British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

Results are insane!

2022 BMW X3MC British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

2022 BMW X3MC British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

2022 BMW X3MC British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

Nanolex Glass Polish —> IPA wipe down —> Nanolex Ultra Glass

2022 BMW X3MC British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

– After the correction we washed the car to free it of compound and polish residue

– Full Car PPF

– Getting the color match – IND PAINTED FRONT REFLECTOR SET

Prep for PPF

BMW X3MC – British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

BMW X3MC – British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

BMW X3MC – British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

PPF – Installing Xpel Ultimate Plus – Full Car

Getting the film ready

BMW X3MC – British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

BMW X3MC – British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

BMW X3MC – British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

BMW X3MC – British Racing Green by

Detailers Domain, on Flickr

IMG_2628 by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

IMG_2811 by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

IMG_2788 by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

IMG_2816 by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

IND sent out a BRG swatch to see if it matched, it didn’t so I sent them out our fuel door for a perfect match….waiting on the reflectors to ship back

BMW X3MC – British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

BMW X3MC – British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

center console / display wrapped in Xpel

BMW X3MC – British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

BMW X3MC – British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

BMW X3MC – British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

BMW X3MC – British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

here are the after shots

more to come I had Mike from MachineswithSouls shoot the car.

BMW X3MC – British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

BMW X3MC – British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

BMW X3MC – British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

BMW X3MC – British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

BMW X3MC – British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

BMW X3MC – British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

BMW X3MC – British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

BMW X3MC – British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

BMW X3MC – British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

BMW X3MC – British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

BMW X3MC – British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

BMW X3MC – British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

Name: DSC_4604-1.jpg
Views: 13144
Size: 328.1 KB

Name: DSC_4624-1.jpg
Views: 13181
Size: 387.1 KB

Photos by MachinesWithSouls

Interior shots / Tartufo with Carbon Fiber

2022 BMW X3MC British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

2022 BMW X3MC British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

2022 BMW X3MC British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

2022 BMW X3MC British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

2022 BMW X3MC British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

More Tartufo! Photo credit – MachinesWithSouls

2022 BMW X3MC British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

2022 BMW X3MC British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

2022 BMW X3MC British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

2022 BMW X3MC British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

Some truly amazing shots. Thank you again Mike MachinesWithSouls

2022 BMW X3MC British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

2022 BMW X3MC British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

2022 BMW X3MC British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

2022 BMW X3MC British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

2022 BMW X3MC British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

2022 BMW X3MC British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

2022 BMW X3MC British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

2022 BMW X3MC British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

2022 BMW X3MC British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

2022 BMW X3MC British Racing Green by Detailers Domain, on Flickr

Last edited by Detailers Domain; 11-16-2025 at 07:23 PM..

Reason: updated – car was stolen and recovered

How Many Robotaxis Are Crashing? Digging Into Some Data

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December 4, 2025

How Many Robotaxis Are Crashing? Digging Into Some Data

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It’s funny how things line up in the fabric of time at times. A few days ago, I wrote an article about Tesla having perhaps 29 supervised robotaxis in operation in Austin, Texas. It’s not clear what the exact number is, and it’s not clear exactly how many crashes these robotaxis have been in, but one of our readers, Ole Laursen, directed me to an NHTSA site that does provide some accident data … sort of. I was just starting to write about this, and as part of that discuss the need for more info and better data, and then I read this piece from Steve. That does a much better job of explaining what is lacking, but I still want to dive into the stats Ole shared.

First of all, note that I’m highlighting crashes related to two different things — ADS and ADAS. Here’s how the two (ADS first and ADAS second) are explained by the NHTSA (bold emphasis added):

“Automated driving systems, still in development, encompass SAE Levels 3 through 5. In its mature state, a vehicle equipped with ADS aims to perform the entire dynamic driving task on a sustained basis within a defined operational design domain without driver involvement.

“Level 2 advanced driver assistance systems provide both speed and steering input when the driver assistance system is engaged but require the human driver to remain fully engaged in the driving task at all times.”

Additionally, the following are the NHTSA’s reporting requirements on these two different solutions:

“ADS: Entities named in the General Order must report a crash if ADS was in use at any time within 30 seconds of the crash and the crash resulted in certain property damage or injury.

“Level 2 ADAS: Entities named in the General Order must report a crash if Level 2 ADAS was in use at any time within 30 seconds of the crash and the crash involved a vulnerable road user being struck or resulted in a fatality, an air bag deployment, or any individual being transported to a hospital for medical treatment.

“Crash reporting criteria are stricter for ADS than ADAS to account for the higher level of automation in ADS and driverless operations in surface transportation. More information on the reporting requirements is available in the General Order.”

Also note that the data is through October 15, 2025. On to the data (before coming back to its limitations).

On this first one, I’m a bit surprised by how much more Tesla vehicles with Autopilot or FSD (Supervised) activated have crashed. Are drivers of the other vehicles not using their ADAS options as much and thus not crashing with them on as much? Or are they using them more carefully and wisely, whereas Tesla drivers expect too much from the technology and thus get into far more (thousands more) accidents? Other automakers generally have very clear places where ADAS is useful, whereas Tesla drivers may think they can (or even should) use their ADAS everywhere, even where it’s not really ready for us.

Naturally, as Dr. Jonathan Slotkin noted, “We need the denominator, not just the numerator.” We don’t know how many miles these vehicles were driven with ADAS activated, just how many times they crashed. One would think other automakers would log plenty of ADAS miles, since there are millions more of those vehicles on the road, but as I said, Tesla drivers are probably more likely and certainly more encouraged to use ADAS widely and often. So, we don’t know if other automaker vehicles have logged many more ADAS miles than Tesla or many fewer miles, or about the same.

It’s basically the same dilemma here. Waymo has certainly driven the most ADS miles by far. But how many ADS miles any of these companies have driven, we have no idea.

Circling back to Tesla, it appears to have only 29 robotaxis on the road in Austin, and they haven’t been there for long. Cruise and GM probably have duplicate reporting going on, since Cruise was owned by GM. Interestingly, Cruise seemed to be neck and neck with Waymo for a while, until a very unfortunate and odd accident led to the company shutting down its robotaxi operations, but Waymo has scaled up tremendously since then. What we can say with a decent amount of confidence is that Waymo has driven tremendously more ADS miles than anyone else. Are its number of crashes still high relative to miles driven? Who knows? We don’t have the denominator.

At the end of the day, we don’t know if these stats are good or bad relative to humans, because we not only lack total number of miles driven, but we also don’t know where these crashes occurred (types of road, city, etc. can have a big difference on likelihood of a crash). As Slotkin (and Steve) noted, give us more data!

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Looking for an RV Furnace Replacement?

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December 3, 2025

WHEN YOUR RV FURNACE STARTS ACTING UP, keeping warm gets a lot more complicated than grabbing another blanket. And a failing furnace isn’t just inconvenient—it’s a safety concern. Whether you’re dealing with no heat, weak airflow, constant cycling, or a heater that refuses to ignite, knowing when to repair and when to pursue an RV furnace replacement helps you avoid unnecessary downtime and expensive mistakes.

This guide covers the process of replacing an RV furnace, the top replacement considerations, which components you’ll often need to replace, and what you should leave to a certified RV technician. You’ll find recommendations for selecting a replacement furnace for an RV, along with model-specific guidance for Atwood, Suburban, and Coleman units.

Key Takeaways

RV furnaces can often be repaired, but replacement becomes necessary when major components fail (heat exchanger, blower motor, circuit board) or when an aging furnace (10–15 years) requires repeated, costly repairs.
Selecting a replacement requires matching BTU output, physical dimensions, ducting type, electrical compatibility, and brand fit, with common options from Suburban, Dometic/Atwood, and Fogatti.
Because furnace replacement involves propane, electrical systems, and safety controls, certified technician installation is strongly recommended to avoid hazards and ensure a reliable, efficient heating system.

When Should You Replace Your RV Furnace?

Technician inspecting ductwork for RV furnace replacement inspection — Image by Camping World

Most furnaces can be repaired, but age and wear eventually take their toll, and you may need to replace the entire unit. You may need to replace an RV furnace when:

The heat exchanger is cracked
The blower motor is burned out or consistently failing
The circuit board is unreliable
The furnace repeatedly fails to ignite, even after replacing the igniter
Parts are discontinued or repeatedly breaking

Additionally, you may face multiple repairs that add up to the RV furnace replacement cost of a new unit. If your furnace is 10 to 15 years old, a full replacement often makes more sense than continuing to swap out worn components.

Choosing the Right Replacement Furnace for Your RV

Components of RV heater with exterior access panel removed — Image by Camping World

Shopping for a replacement RV furnace isn’t something most RVers do often, so it helps to know the key specs:

1. BTU Output. Match or slightly increase your furnace’s BTU rating to maintain proper heating. Common sizes range from 20,000 to 40,000 BTUs.

2. Physical Dimensions. Measure carefully. RV furnaces fit into framed compartments, and even small size differences matter.

3. Ducted vs Non-Ducted. Ducted furnaces connect to interior ductwork and heat multiple zones. Non-ducted furnaces push air directly into the living space. Keep your existing setup unless you plan major modifications.

4. Electrical Requirements. Your furnace needs to match your RV’s 12V system and control wiring. This becomes especially important when considering an upgraded thermostat.

5. Brand Compatibility. Stick with brands built for RV applications, with popular examples including Dometic, Suburban, and Fogatti. Going with a matching brand typically makes for an easier installation and simpler parts sourcing.

Recommended RV Furnace Replacement Options

Here are some common furnace replacement or upgrade options for most RVs:

Technician Tip: Because RV furnace compartments, ductwork, and wiring vary widely, always match model numbers or consult a technician before ordering a replacement.

Suburban

Images by Camping World

Both include Suburban heaters for ducted and non-ducted (i.e., direct discharge) systems.

Dometic/Atwood

Images by Camping World

DF Series (Small and Medium options)

You’ll find Dometic furnace options in doored and doorless designs compatible with different RV sidewall constructions.

Fogatti

Fogatti RV furnaces are available in 25K, 30K, and 35K BTU rating options.

How Much Does It Cost to Replace an RV Furnace?

RV furnace replacement costs can range from under $1,000 to several thousand dollars. Replacement furnaces themselves generally range from $600 to nearly $2,000, depending on the brand and BTU rating.

Next, factor in labor costs. These always depend on the complexity of the replacement and the hourly labor rate at the location where you schedule service. Additional upgrades of the thermostat, ducting, or wiring will also increase the final RV furnace replacement price.

Common Furnace Component Replacements

Example of components of RV propane heater with interior access panel removed — Image by Camping World

Some RVers start by replacing individual components before committing to a full furnace replacement. Identifying these components requires some at-home troubleshooting to determine why your RV furnace not working.

However, here are some furnace replacement parts to consider for your RV, based on common heater symptoms you may experience:

Issues starting up or repeated clicking may require an RV furnace igniter replacement.
You may need an RV furnace blower motor replacement if the fan is noisy, not turning at all, or if you want to upgrade for performance reasons.
A bad sail switch prevents furnace ignition because the control board thinks the blower isn’t moving enough air, thus requiring an RV furnace sail switch replacement.
Furnaces behaving unpredictably may require a total RV furnace board replacement.

RV heaters that don’t reach your desired temperature or that don’t turn off when that temperature is reached may need a thermostat replacement.
A loss of expected airflow throughout your camper may require an RV furnace duct replacement or repair.

Other components that may require repair or replacement include the fan itself, any air filters that become dirty or clogged, thermocouples that regulate safe operation, and more.

Should You Replace an RV Furnace With a Diesel Heater?

Some DIYers consider swapping a propane furnace for a diesel heater. While diesel heaters are efficient, this swap involves running a fuel line, cutting intake/exhaust ports, and rewiring controls. For most RVs, the cleaner, safer route is sticking to a purpose-built RV propane furnace replacement.

Why Furnace Replacement Is Best Left to a Certified RV Technician

Here’s the big takeaway: Replacing an RV furnace is not a DIY-friendly job.

Propane appliances must be installed and leak-tested by a trained and certified professional. Incorrect installation can lead to fire hazards, carbon monoxide exposure, or damage to your RV’s electrical system.

Even “simple” jobs, such as RV furnace igniter replacement, RV furnace blower motor replacement, or RV furnace circuit board replacement, involve gas lines, combustion chambers, or safety switches.

Your furnace is one of the most important safety appliances in your RV, and replacing it isn’t something to take lightly. Whether you’re comparing replacement RV furnace models, researching RV furnace replacement parts, or diagnosing why the blower won’t spin, the safest and most cost-effective approach is to involve a certified RV technician.

You’ll end up with a properly installed system, cleaner heat, lower risk, and a whole lot more comfort on chilly mornings.

Here are a few additional resources for troubleshooting, maintaining, or replacing RV parts and appliances:

Do you need help finding a replacement RV furnace? Let us know how we can help in the comments below!

Tucker Ballister is our Content Strategist. He grew up RV camping in a Fleetwood Bounder with his parents and has lived and camped in two motorhomes and two travel trailers of his own. His current RV is a 2025 Forest River Campsite Ultra 26BW, which he loves taking on adventures with his wonderful partner and furry companion from their home base in Western North Carolina. Check out his adventures, gear reviews, and outdoor advice at thebackpackguide.com.

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2025 BMW X3 M50i Review: BMW’s Best All-Rounder… with a Catch

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December 3, 2025

2025 BMW X3 M50i Review: BMW’s Best All-Rounder… with a Catch

Cruising on I94 heading south back into Chicago is when I realized how much I’ve taken BMW’s like the X3 for granted. They are, by design, not the most exciting vehicle in the range. But day after day, trip after trip, they deliver. No matter your ask or what the weather delivers, they seem to excel. And none have done it better than the new 2025 BMW M3 M50i we recently had for a week. But there’s a big asterisk there for those in the know.

First let’s pour one out for the high-strung X3 M. An M3 wagon on stilts, it was sports sedan trapped in a crossover body and we loved it for that. But if we’re being honest, this slightly softer, more calm new M Performance M50i is better suited to what most people need.

I spent a week with it doing exactly what its target buyers will do: weekday commutes, hauling kids to sports, taking the dog to the park, and running errands. Then, over the weekend, I pointed it north to Wisconsin’s Kettle Moraine for some hiking and dirt-road exploring. By Sunday night, it was clear: this is BMW’s most complete daily driver in the U.S. market.

Powertrain: Smooth Muscle with Brains

Under the hood is BMW’s B58 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six, now paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. It delivers 393 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque, with a 0–60 mph time around 4.4 seconds. On paper, that’s firmly in sports sedan territory, but in practice it’s the immediacy and linearity that impress.

The mild-hybrid system’s e-boost fills in the gaps when the turbo is spooling or the gearbox is swapping cogs. In Comfort mode, this means traffic maneuvers are drama-free—tap the pedal and you’re already moving before the gearbox has fully committed to a lower gear. In Sport, the powertrain sharpens up, shifts come with a tangible shove, and the exhaust adds a harder edge without going into manufactured pops and bangs.

Driving Modes & Character

Let’s take a moment and talk about driving modes because few BMW’s I’ve driven are more reliant on them than the X3 M50i

Comfort Mode: The default for city traffic. Steering is light but accurate, throttle response is progressive, and the suspension filters out potholes without float. The eight-speed shifts unobtrusively and the cabin stays impressively quiet.
Sport Mode: Weight builds in the steering, throttle mapping gets more aggressive, and the transmission hangs onto gears longer. Adaptive M dampers stiffen enough to cut roll, but not so much that you dread expansion joints.
Sport Plus: Here, the M50i feels closest to the outgoing X3 M in urgency. The gearbox is almost telepathic on downshifts, steering is at its most direct, and the chassis stays flat even in tighter corners. Still, the ride never crosses into harshness—the benefit of tuning for the real world rather than Nürburgring lap times.

X3’s have had drive modes before. But here BMW has both turned down and turned up the wick. Comfort is almost eerily serene while Sport Plus is eager with a snarling attitude. The result of this variability is a vehicle that feels even more like a Swiss-army knife than ever before.

Chassis & Handling

BMW has done an exceptional job with the M50i’s balance. I’ll let you in on a secret – the previous X3 was incredibly well balanced – even more so than the vaunted 3 Series. This new version in M50i loses some of that with a 52% front / 48% rear weight distribution. But BMW engineers have worked their magic as usual. The adaptive suspension keeps body motion in check, but avoids the brittle, overly rigid feel that plagued some past M-tuned SUVs. Turn-in is crisp, aided by variable sport steering that doesn’t feel artificially quick. Mid-corner composure is excellent for something with this ride height and weight.

xDrive is calibrated for security rather than tail-out antics, but in Sport modes it will let the rear take a meaningful share of the work. On loose gravel, the system’s quick torque shifts give you confidence to accelerate out of turns without a hint of scrabble from the front.

Braking performance is strong and repeatable. The pedal has a natural progression is easy to modulate and never feels grabby. And it’s no surprise as they compare well to the previous generation X3M’s brakes.

But the moment you really hustle the X3 M50i is when you remember that this thing weighs 4,491 lb. Not a problem for most but what if you could take that weight away, lower the car for a better center of gravity and then sell it cheaper?

The Wagon That Outsmarts It

For the enthusiast, the M50i’s biggest weakness isn’t a lack of a true M engine – it’s that weight. A similarly equipped M340i Touring is roughly 490 pounds lighter and sits nearly 10 inches lower. That translates into a sharper, more connected feel — the kind of immediacy you notice the first time you turn the wheel or change direction at speed.

I had a chance to spend a week with the M340i Touring in German and Austria and was blown away with its combination of porting credentials and versatility. And in the Touring, the B58 felt more eager because it’s carrying less mass. Steering feedback was clearer, braking distances shorter, and transitions through corners feel more fluid. Cargo space and rear passenger room are virtually identical, and the wagon’s lower load floor makes it easier to get heavy items in. The real advantage the X3 offers is seating height — the SUV “command view” some buyers won’t give up. For me, I could care less. Especially given how even BMW’s sedans have slowly gotten taller themselves.

BMW X3 M50i vs. M340i Touring

While the X3 has the newest variant of the B58 with more power and torque, the acceleration difference is negligible thanks to the weight difference. Also interesting is how similar these vehicles are in cargo capacity. And then there’s that wonderfully useful split tailgate the Touring has that the X3 doesn’t.

Spec / Metric	X3 M50i (US-Spec)	M340i Touring (EU-Spec)	Difference
Engine	3.0L turbo I6 (B58) + 48V mild hybrid	3.0L turbo I6 (B58) + 48V mild hybrid	—
Power	393 hp	374 hp	+19 hp X3
Torque	428 lb-ft	369 lb-ft	+59 lb-ft X3
0–60 mph	~4.4 s	~4.5 s	Virtually even
Top Speed	155 mph (limited)	155 mph (limited)	—
Curb Weight	~4,475 lbs	~3,985 lbs	+490 lbs X3
Height	~66.7 in	~57.0 in	+9.7 in X3
Cargo Volume (Seats Up)	28.7 cu ft	~27.5 cu ft	+1.2 cu ft X3
Fuel Economy (Est.)	25 / 30 mpg (city/hwy)	~27 / 34 mpg (est.)	Touring +2–4 mpg
Drive Layout	AWD (xDrive)	AWD (xDrive)	—

If BMW sold the Touring in the U.S., it would be the smarter buy for anyone who values dynamics over ride height. But they don’t, and that’s why the M50i ends up being the best all-rounder most Americans can actually put in their driveway.

Weekday Utility

This is the part of the test most cars in this segment fail: being genuinely pleasant to use in the grind of daily life. The M50i clears that bar with room to spare. Visibility is good, the seating position is spot-on, and the cabin is quiet at highway speeds. The rear seats fold easily to expand cargo space, and the square tailgate opening means awkward items aren’t a wrestling match.

Weekend Versatility

On the open road, the M50i’s blend of torque and composure makes long stints effortless. Our car came with BMW’s Driving Assistance Plus for $1,700. While that’s a lot of cash for mostly software, it’s a hugely welcome addition if you’re going to be commuting of road-tripping on highways.

I did some light off-roading in the form of turn roads and trails and even on summer tires the X3 had zero issues given it’s fast acting xDrive system. The adaptive suspension kept the body calm and the steering precise enough to pick a clean line around ruts.

Garish is how I’d describe the X3 M50i’s interior. Gone are the days of engineering driven design that was driver focused.

Where BMW Missed

The new iDrive interface is still a usability misstep. Too much is buried in the touchscreen, and there’s an unnecessary layer of visual noise in the graphics. The interior styling has gone the same way—bold shapes, layered materials, and lighting effects that feel like they were signed off by marketing rather than engineering. It’s functional enough, but it’s lost the clean, driver-focused look BMW once did better than anyone. The next iteration of BMW’s interior design language cannot come soon enough.

U.S. X3 Lineup — Pricing and Specs

Our test car came to an eye watering $76,675 incoming destination charge. That’s a lot of money but then again this is a lot of car.

Variant	Engine / Drivetrain	Power / Torque	0–60 mph	Starting MSRP	Est. MPG (city/hwy)
X3 30 xDrive	2.0-L turbo I4, AWD	255 hp / 295 lb-ft	~6.0 s	$50,900	~27 / 33
X3 M50 xDrive	3.0-L turbo I6, AWD (B58 + e-boost)	393 hp / 428 lb-ft	~4.4 s	$65,900	~25 / 30

Final Verdict

The 2025 BMW X3 M50i is right on target for what the U.S. market wants: an SUV with serious performance, year-round usability, and enough space to handle the realities of family life. It’s fast without being frenetic, agile without being punishing, and versatile enough to handle everything from rush hour to dirt roads.

But for those who care about feel, precision, and connection, the M340i Touring shows what’s possible when you remove the weight and lower the center of gravity. That car is the true all-rounder—just not one BMW will sell you here.

For everyone else, the M50i is as close to a perfect daily driver as the current BMW lineup gets.

The new technology that is making cars easier for criminals to steal, or crash

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December 3, 2025

The new technology that is making cars easier for criminals to steal, or crash

There is much talk in the automotive industry about the “internet of vehicles” (IoV). This describes a network of cars and other vehicles that could exchange data over the internet in an effort to make transportation more autonomous, safe and efficient.

The IoV could help vehicles identify roadblocks, traffic jams and pedestrians. It could help with a car’s positioning on the road, potentially enable them to be driverless, and provide easier diagnoses of faults. It’s already happening to some extent with smart motorways, where technology is used with the intention of managing motorway traffic in the most effective manner.

A more sophisticated IoV will require even more sensors, software and other technology to be installed in vehicles and surrounding road infrastructure. Cars already contain more electronic systems than ever, from cameras and mobile phone connections to infotainment systems.

However, some of these systems might also make our vehicles prone to theft and malicious attack, as criminals identify and then exploit vulnerabilities in this new technology. In fact, this is already happening.

Security bypass

Smart keys are supposed to protect modern vehicles against theft. A button on the key is pressed to disable the car’s immobiliser (an electronic device that protects the vehicle from being started without a key), allowing the vehicle to be driven.

But one well-known way to bypass this requires a handheld relay tool that tricks the vehicle into thinking the smart key is closer than it is.

It involves two people working together, one standing at the vehicle and the other close to where the key actually is, such as outside its owner’s house. The person near the house uses the tool that can pick up the signal from the key fob and then relay it to the vehicle.

Relay equipment for carrying out this kind of theft can be found on the internet for less than £100, with attempts often being carried out at night. To protect against them, car keys can be placed in Faraday bags or cages that block any signal emitted from the keys.

However, a more advanced method of attacking vehicles is now increasingly being adopted. It is known as a “CAN (Controller Area Network) injection attack”, and works by establishing a direct connection to the vehicle’s internal communication system, the CAN bus.

The main route to the CAN bus is underneath the vehicle, so criminals try to gain access to it through the lights at the front of the car. To do this, the bumper has to be pulled away so a CAN injector can be inserted into the engine system.

The thieves can then send fake messages that trick the vehicle into believing these are from the smart key and disable the immobiliser. Once they have gained access to the vehicle, they can then start the engine and drive the vehicle away.

Zero trust approach

With the prospect of a potential epidemic in vehicle thefts, manufacturers are trying new ways to overcome this latest vulnerability as quickly as possible.

One strategy involves not trusting any messages that are received by the car, referred to as a “zero trust approach”. Instead, these messages have to be sent and verified. One way to do this is by installing a hardware security module in the vehicle, which works by generating cryptographic keys that allow the encryption and decryption of data, creating and verifying digital signatures in the messages.

This mechanism is increasingly being implemented by the automotive industry in new cars. However, it is not practical to incorporate it into existing vehicles due to time and cost, so many cars on the road remain vulnerable to a CAN injection attack.

Infotainment system attacks

Another security consideration for modern vehicles is the onboard computer system, also referred to as the “infotainment system”. The potential vulnerability of this system is often overlooked, even though it could have catastrophic repercussions for the driver.

One example is the ability for attackers to use “remote code execution” to deliver malicious code to the vehicle’s computer system. In one reported case in the US, the infotainment system was used as an entry point for the attackers, through which they could plant their own code. This sent commands to physical components of the cars, such as the the engine and wheels.

An attack like this clearly has the potential to affect the functioning of the vehicle, causing a crash – so this is not just a matter of protecting personal data contained within the infotainment system. Attacks of this nature can exploit many vulnerabilities such as the vehicle’s internet browser, USB dongles that are plugged into it, software that needs to be updated to protect it against known attacks and weak passwords.

Therefore, all vehicle drivers with an infotainment system should have a good understanding of basic security mechanisms that can protect them from hacking attempts.

The possibility of an epidemic of vehicle theft and insurance claims due to CAN attacks alone is a scary prospect. There needs to be a balance between the benefits of the internet of vehicles, such as safer driving and an enhanced ability to recover cars once they are stolen, with these potential risks.

2023 Year End Review – Heath & Alyssa

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December 2, 2025

This post may contain affiliate links. See our affiliate disclaimer here.

In what has become a tradition, I am sharing my year-end review (a week late albeit). For a decade Alyssa and I have sat down at the end of a year to recap the highs and lows.

As a practice, it gives me a ton of gratitude. It’s easy to forget about all of the good things that happen in a given year.

We have a focus on the bad, but there’s almost always more good than bad.

I also love to read other people’s year-end reviews. If you have a year review to share I’d love to read it in the comments!

So, without further ado. Here’s my 2023 Year in Review.

Things That Went Well in 2023

Visiting Japan

Japan sat at the top of our bucket list for years. This year we finally pulled the trigger. TBH, the price of the plane tickets stung a bit. Let’s just say it came down to traveling to Japan or building a new deck on the back of our house (and the back of our house is still deckless).

I’m not mad though. We made memories. We camped next to Mount Fuji. We sang karaoke in Tokyo. We tried foods we’d never had before and met some wonderful people.

Also, we camped in a 16ft RV for two weeks with our two young kids and lived to tell the tale (Survivor has nothing on us).

So yes, traveling to Japan was a win (the video above is one of several from our trip).

Our Acquisition of RV Inspiration

We had no idea what we were in for when we bought our first website last December. All we knew was that we needed to start recouping our cash flow after selling all our businesses.

As it turns out, buying a business is much easier than starting one. (Severe understatement.)

Despite not working on the business for several months at a time while traveling, we grew revenue by 65% this year and will have the business paid off in Q1 or Q2 of next year. So that is cool.

All credit goes to Alyssa and our team of awesome writers and editors. This will continue to be Alyssa’s focus in 2023 as she’s loved working on it and learning tricks to make it thrive.

Maybe we will buy another business or two in 2024…

You can read some of our business updates below:

Roadtripping across UK

This summer we took my parents to Wales and England. Before this trip they’d never really left the US. We booked an RV for them and spent an incredible two weeks road-tripping around the UK countryside.

One highlight from the trip was visiting the town of Wrexham in Wales. I’m a big Welcome to Wrexham fan and getting to see the Racecourse and buy a jersey was awesome. It was a trip I will always cherish. (We ate SO much pub food!).

Signed up for Boundless Life Program (3 months of “world schooling” in Portugal)

This fall we spent 3 months in Portugal enrolled in a program called Boundless Life. This is a startup company focused on creating world schooling opportunities for families. They provide a Montessori-style school, coworking space, and accommodations in a handful of cities around the world.

We signed up as an experiment. We’ve always loved the idea of spending an extended period in Europe. However, with kids, it adds a touch of logistics. With Boundless, we felt that it could be a more sustainable way to travel. The kids could make friends in a school setting and we’d have some time to work ourselves. Plus, we’d be in a new place to explore for three months.

Overall, it was a positive experience. I feel I could write a massive amount about the highs and lows of our experience with Boundless. At the end of the day, the kids thrived and we met a lot of amazing people who I believe we’ll have a continued relationship with. It’s something we’d try again in the future if our visa restrictions/travel plans allow us.

Plus, I got to try out surfing for the first time and discovered a new sport (Padel!) that I loved.

What Didn’t Go Well in 2023

Youtube

This year we released more than 50 YouTube videos from our RV trips around the world (New Zealand, Japan, UK). It was never intended to be a business or a way to make a lot of money, but we’d hoped to see more interest than we did.

As we sat down to reflect on the year, both Alyssa and I realized that YouTube wasn’t a fit for us moving forward. (Something we actually realized in August, but we had commitments and a set runway to devote a full year to Youtube.)

While it was due in part to not getting a lot of traction in viewership, we also just didn’t love the act of filming our travels. Hauling camera gear along with hauling two kids just added a bunch of stress to our travels. The idea of being able to explore new places without filming sounded nice to us. (Can’t emphasize enough that the camera gear weighed more than carrying one of our kids. And Eli is HUGE.)

We committed to a year of making videos and I’m proud that we completed that goal. At the end of the day, we still had quite a few people tune in to our videos (if you were one of them, thank you!). Plus, we have some amazing family travel videos I will always cherish.

But for now, the new memories will go into my iPhone folder and not be uploaded to Youtube :).

Lack of Movement on Our Blog (aka this website)

We published a handful of new articles on HeathandAlyssa.com, but overall we didn’t do much with our site. It’s not like things went poorly with this site, but I don’t like having things just be stagnant. Motion is good.

One problem we’ve had with Heath and Alyssa is struggling to figure out the direction of what we want this website to be about. For a long time, it reflected our journeys in business, life, and travel.

This is fine, but our lives have taken some twists and turns. As it turns out, it’s hard to keep up with a personal blog when you don’t know what you are doing with your life.

One day we’re documenting a campground build. The next we’re traveling with kids. Next, we’re buying a blog on renovating RVs.

These pivots can make it hard to stay consistent on a blog topic.

So, moving forward, we’ve decided to dedicate HeathandAlyssa.com to just ONE of the MANY interests we have.

Looking ahead, HeathandAlyssa.com will be a resource for people planning RV trips around the world.

We’ll be publishing more articles like:

Of all the topics we’ve covered, we feel like helping people make memories through road trips is something we won’t tire of. Plus, we’ve realized through RV Inspiration the power of focusing on a single topic.

If you’ve enjoyed articles like these or want to travel to some of the places we write about, we’d love to have you stick around.

If you’re more interested in our personal journey, we’ll still be sending those types of updates to our email list (just not publishing them on this website).

Looking Ahead to 2024

We are still figuring out what we want our 2024 to look like, but we do have some plans looking forward. Here are a few personal and business aims that we have.

Continue traveling as a family.

This summer we’re planning another trip to Europe. A few months ago I was having breakfast with some friends when they casually mentioned they had extra tickets to see Taylor Swift in Vienna.

Without hesitation, I offered to buy them (without talking to Alyssa). As a big Swiftie, Alyssa was bummed she didn’t get to go see her in the US. When I told her I found us four tickets to Vienna, she was ecstatic.

When I told my friend I’d buy the tickets he asked, “Are you planning to be in Austria next summer?”

“I am now,” I replied.

We’ve 100% gone to countries for less of a reason than to see Taylor Swift.

All this to say, we invited a couple of our closest friends and are going to make a big trip out of it. Before and after we haven’t booked anything but are tentatively considering UK in the summer and Spain in the fall.

Ellie and Eli still aren’t school-age yet, so while we have a window to be more mobile we’re going to soak it up.

I’m riding the Tuscany Trail (again)

In 2022 I rode a bike across Italy with a group of friends. I loved it. It not only was a physical challenge, but an incredible way to explore rural Tuscany. I biked through castle towns (even one night slept in castle ruins), ate the best food of my life, and met some incredible people.

We biked over 300 miles and also the equivalent in elevation gain of Mount Everest. Last time we did it in 6 days and with a support van and my goal this year is to do it unsupported and in 4 days (70 miles per day). PS If you feel like joining me, there are still a few spots left but they are almost full!

Below is a video our friends Kara & Nate did from our time on the trail.

Writing my first (real) book.

On my to-do list every year since I can remember is to write a book.

One concept that I’ve thought the most about for years has been the idea of runway (specifically, emotional runway). I’ve even given a couple of talks on runway at startup events. People seem to latch on to the idea.

If you’ve ever listened to the RVE podcast or read other articles on this site, you’ve probably heard me talk about this concept.

The idea of an emotional runway is something that helped a ton while building Campground Booking. I hit burnout hard and wanted to quit a bunch of times. Figuring out how to stay in the game long enough and enjoy the process by extending my runway was huge in eventually seeing an acquisition through.

I’m early in the writing process but my goal is to publish a book this fall (saying this out loud for accountability). I hope to help other people who are working to tackle big projects or startups themselves.

Your 2024 Goals & Projects

If you made it this far in the post, I’d love to hear what you have in the works for this year. What are you most excited about? What are you building or working on? Where are you traveling? Can’t wait to hear from you.

Bugatti Tourbillon: the Design – Car Body Design

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December 2, 2025

The goal of the project was to propel the brand into a new age while honoring more than 115 years of heritage.

Chief Exterior Designer Jan Schmid Bugatti Tourbillon: the Design – Car Body Design

As Bugatti Chief Exterior Designer Jan Schmid explains, it was about “finding that sweet spot of what a Bugatti is and what a Bugatti can be in the future.” and “[…] making a Bugatti recognizable as a Bugatti from every angle by incorporating our core design DNA elements.”

From the official Press Release:

Every angle of the Tourbillon tells a story. The iconic horseshoe grille, lower and wider than on any Bugatti before it, anchors a face that appears to be lunging forward. But this isn’t simply sculptural. Schmid and his team shaped every millimeter with intent, even ensuring that an EU number plate fits seamlessly within the horseshoe’s curves while maintaining aerodynamic and structural integrity.

Bugatti Tourbillon

The horseshoe is joined by the fuselage accentuation and the centerline; a feature that traces its lineage to the riveted spine of the Type 57 SC Atlantic. On the Tourbillon, this centerline flows from nose to tail, culminating in the third brake light, which is integrated into the spine itself.

Bugatti Tourbillon

The distinctive Bugatti Line, sweeping from the A-pillar around the greenhouse before flowing toward its precise return at the front of the car, creates what Schmid describes as “an impression of leaping forward.” That defining curve accentuates and supports the car’s side profile, where every surface seems charged with motion and ready to accelerate. Along the line’s path, it also defines the division for Bugatti’s iconic duotone color split, a signature element that traces back to the brand’s earliest creations.

Bugatti Tourbillon

The Tourbillon’s side profile is a bold statement of form. Its pronounced “Coke bottle” curvature, sweeping inward before flaring over the rear haunches, gives the car a sense of visual drama. This sculptural treatment celebrates proportion, offering a unique interplay between lightness and strength.

Bugatti Tourbillon

A closer look at the Tourbillon’s face reveals a remarkable feat of engineering. Despite sharing nearly the same footprint as the Chiron, the Tourbillon manages to accommodate more luggage space, an electric front axle and intricate aerodynamic ducting, all while sitting lower to the ground. The secret lies in the seamless collaboration between design and engineering, transforming function into sculpture.

T Bugatti Tourbillon Headlight he headlights exemplify this philosophy. Compact yet unmistakable, they attach to what Bugatti calls the ‘flying fender,’ which serves dual purposes. Visually, it accentuates the fuselage’s forward thrust. Functionally, it channels air beneath the fender and out the top, feeding the side radiators and air intakes. The side view reveals a dynamic interplay between the precisely drawn front fender, with its long crease line flowing all the way toward the side intake, and the muscular, sculpted rear fender.

Bugatti Tourbillon

At the rear, the Tourbillon’s fender flows seamlessly into the deck, where an active rear wing deploys only when needed. Below, the open engine bay showcases the towering plenum of the naturally aspirated V16.

Bugatti Tourbillon

More than 124 individual LED elements form a single monobloc tail light that traces the rear’s contour from edge to edge, with the Bugatti script illuminating at its center. Beneath this, air outlets draw hot air from the side-mounted radiators. The exposed rear wheels and high-mounted diffuser channel, starting behind the front seat, create a lightweight, planted appearance while accelerating air rearward with efficiency.

Bugatti Tourbillon

“Everything is playing hand in hand. The new package, the design – we really showcased the capabilities of what the Tourbillon can do.”

When asked to choose his favorite element, Schmid explains “I have to point towards the way the rear fender is shaped. It is, in fact, inspired by the proportion of the rear fender of the Veyron with its reflection-based vastness and the grandeur of the surfacing. I’m particularly happy about how it turned out and how it gives really strength and muscle to the car and enhances the overall stance and proportion.”

Previous Episode

Below we report the first episode of the series, with insights from Mate Rimac, CEO of Bugatti, President Christophe Piochon, Bugatti Director of Design Frank Heyl and CTO Emilio Scervo.