Our RV Broke Down on the Way to a Funeral — And No One Could Help

We thought we were prepared for anything… until our RV broke down and no one could help us.In this episode of Take the Trip, Bill and I share one of the most stressful travel days we’ve ever had — when our Keystone RV majorly malfunctioned just an hour into a drive home for a funeral.What started as a routine travel day quickly turned into a full-blown roadside nightmare. Our leveling jacks/slide came down while towing and just wouldn’t retract - we were stuck on the side of the road with kids in extreme heat, and to make things worse — roadside assistance told us no one could tow us because our rig was too big. Thankfully no one was injured, but it was scary and so very stressful. Yeah… not exactly the plan.We walk through exactly what happened, how we handled it in real time, and what we learned the hard way about RV maintenance, coverage, and problem-solving on the road.This episode is for you if you’ve ever wondered:What actually happens when your RV breaks down mid-tripCan roadside assistance always help RVers?What do you do when no one can tow your rig?What does insurance cover?Will my RV brand have my back in an emergency? In this episode, we talk about:The terrifying RV jack failure that left us stranded in our 5 year old Keystone Avalanche. Why roadside assistance couldn’t help usTroubleshooting under pressure (in the heat, with kids)The moment we realized we were on our ownHow one dollar store purchased came in CLUTCH! The unexpected kindness we experienced along the wayThe emotional side of dealing with travel stress during a family emergencyThe time Kendra told a dirty joke at a funeral RV life comes with freedom and adventure — but also moments like this.If you’re traveling in an RV (or thinking about it), this is one of those stories you’ll want to hear before you find yourself in the same situation.🎙️Take the Trip PodcastReal Talk. Zero Filter.Conversations (and people!) that don’t fit in a box.Come say hey  @takethetripfamSupport Our SponsorsCamp Champ is Cheltec’s premium line of advanced, 100% biodegradable RV holding tank treatments, engineered to eliminate odors, break down waste, and improve tank performance without harsh chemicals or masking fragrances. Built on proven industrial-grade technology, Camp Champ is designed for RVers who value reliability, environmental responsibility, and confidence throughout their camping lifestyle. Use the code “TaketheTrip” for 25% off! Miacademy is an online learning platform for families with kids in grades K–8. One of the things we love most is the flexibility — kids can mix grade levels and move at their own pace since they have access to the entire K-8 course catalog. Features like read-aloud lessons, captions, transcripts, and engaging worksheets help kids build independence while learning. The lesson structure makes it easy to balance learning with field trips, travel, and other real-world enrichment.Try Miacademy for just $1.99 for the first 30 days, and use code TRIP20 to save: • 10% off monthly subscriptions • 15% off annual and lifetime plans • 20% off family lifetime plans