While traveling through a desert, the Tennysons’ encounter a group of modern-day pirates called the Road Crew attempting to hijack the deluxe RV of Laurence Wainwright. After stopping the Road Crew, the family makes a pit stop and Ben and Gwen start to complain about how the Rust Bucket doesn’t work right and isn’t nearly as luxurious as Laurence’s RV. Shortly afterwards the Road Crew returns and steals the Rust Bucket. While Grandpa Max tries desperately to track down the Rust Bucket, the Road Crew give it a makeover for use in their plans.