
Today I want to discuss an important safety topic most people don’t think about. The topic is, how safe is your towing system when towing a vehicle behind your motorhome? I’m talking about towing a vehicle with all four wheels down.
Today I want to discuss an important safety topic most people don’t think about. The topic is, how safe is your towing system when towing a vehicle behind your motorhome? I’m talking about towing a vehicle with all four wheels down.
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Posted in Beginning RVer, RV Safety, Uncategorized | Tags: motorhome towing, RV 101, rv 101 guide, rv education, RV Education 101, rving 101, towing a dinghy behind your motorhome
RV University opens the doors to your RV Education! ~Learning RV’s the Easy Way~
Brought to you by RV Education 101
Mark & Dawn Polk, owners of RV Education 101 are the premier provider of educational videos, books and RV information for the RVing public.
RV Education 101® was founded in 1999
RV Online Video Training For ALL Computers and Devices: Read More…
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Posted in Uncategorized
Tow Your Travel Trailer Like a Pro Video Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/rv-101-trailer-towing-basics
Tow Your 5th Wheel Like a Pro Complete Online Video Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/tow-your-5th-wheel-like-a-pro
Motorhome RV Orientation Video Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/motorhome-rv-orientation-video-training-course
Drive Your Motorhome Like A Pro Complete Online Video Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/drive-your-motorhome-like-a-pro
RV Essential Items Video Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/rv-essential-items
Winterizing and Storing Your RV Video Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/winterizing-and-storing-your-rv-video
Travel Trailer 4 Video Bargain Set Plus Free RV Checklist ebook
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/travel-trailer-video-bundle
5th Wheel 4 Video Bargain Set Plus Free RV Checklist ebook
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/5th-wheel-video-bundle
Motorhome 4 Video Bargain Set Plus Free RV Checklist ebook
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/motorhome-video-bundle
An Introduction to RVs E-book Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/an-introduction-to-rvs
Insider’s Guide to Buying an RV E-Book Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/insider-s-guide-to-buying-an-rv-downloadable-pdf-e-book
Owning & Operating an RV E-Book Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/owning-operating-an-rv
The Original Checklists for RVers E-Book Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/the-original-checklist-s-for-rvers
RV Campground Basics E-Book Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/rv-campground-basics-e-book-course
RV Safety Features, Tips & Tricks E-book Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/rv-safety-features-tips-tricks
RV Care & Maintenance E-Book Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/rv-care-maintenance-e-book-course
RV Battery Care & Maintenance E-Book Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/rv-battery-care-maintenance
Trailer Towing Basics E-Book Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/trailer-towing-basics-e-book
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Posted in Beginning RVer, RV Training
I wrote this article to bring awareness to a huge problem on the Internet, copyright infringement. The act of copying and using another author’s work is prolific on the Internet, and it is plagiarism and/or copyright infringement. Let’s start with some basic definitions.
Copyright – The definition of copyright by Merriam-Webster is: the legal right to be the only one to reproduce, publish, and sell the contents and form of a literary or artistic work.
Infringement – Depending on the source, the definition for infringement is: a breach, infraction or violation of a law, regulation, agreement or contract.
Copyright Infringement– The explanation of copyright infringement by the U.S. Copyright Office is: As a general matter, copyright infringement occurs when a copyrighted work is reproduced, distributed, performed, publicly displayed, or made into a derivative work without the permission of the copyright owner.
Plagiarism – The definition of plagiarism by Merriam-Webster is: The act of using another person’s words or ideas without giving credit to that person: the act of plagiarizing something.
Internet – The definition of the Internet by Merriam-Webster is: an electronic communications network that connects computer networks and organizational computer facilities around the world.
The Internet changed the world
It is prolific! The Internet changed the way we live, the way we view things, and the way we do things. I, like many others, lived in a world without the Internet for many, many years. I grew up without the internet. If you had to research a homework assignment you went to the public library. If you wanted to purchase a product you went to a store that sells the product. Then came the Internet. The Internet made almost everything we do, easier to do. And it made plagiarism and copyright infringement easier to do too. You just copy, paste, post and voila, it’s that simple.
Our company, RV Education 101, would be classified as a dot-com company. As the Internet grew, so did the entrepreneurial spirit to get rich quick. The Internet spawned the growth of small and large companies with products to sell and a domain name to create a dot-com business overnight. Lots of the dot-com start-up companies from the 90’s are long gone now. The companies who managed to survive the “dot-com boom” did so by learning the way of the world wide web. Somewhere along the way, you learn about Search Engine Optimization or SEO, and the need for unique, rich, quality content to survive in your tiny space on the Internet.
Our company survived the dot-com boom, and this year we are celebrating our 20th work anniversary. As the company grew, so did the struggle to defend our name and our brand from the barrage of copyright infringement. We are a video production and RV information company, so copyright infringement on the Internet would eventually affect every aspect of our business, (articles, checklists, videos and photographs.) We worked too hard to get where we are today to let copyright infringement take away what is rightfully ours.
This is our story, and our struggle against copyright infringement on the Internet
To read the rest of the story, CLICK HERE
Tow Your Travel Trailer Like a Pro Video Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/rv-101-trailer-towing-basics
Tow Your 5th Wheel Like a Pro Complete Online Video Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/tow-your-5th-wheel-like-a-pro
Motorhome RV Orientation Video Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/motorhome-rv-orientation-video-training-course
Drive Your Motorhome Like A Pro Complete Online Video Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/drive-your-motorhome-like-a-pro
RV Essential Items Video Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/rv-essential-items
Winterizing and Storing Your RV Video Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/winterizing-and-storing-your-rv-video
Travel Trailer 4 Video Bargain Set Plus Free RV Checklist ebook
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/travel-trailer-video-bundle
5th Wheel 4 Video Bargain Set Plus Free RV Checklist ebook
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/5th-wheel-video-bundle
Motorhome 4 Video Bargain Set Plus Free RV Checklist ebook
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/motorhome-video-bundle
An Introduction to RVs E-book Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/an-introduction-to-rvs
Insider’s Guide to Buying an RV E-Book Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/insider-s-guide-to-buying-an-rv-downloadable-pdf-e-book
Owning & Operating an RV E-Book Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/owning-operating-an-rv
The Original Checklists for RVers E-Book Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/the-original-checklist-s-for-rvers
RV Campground Basics E-Book Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/rv-campground-basics-e-book-course
RV Safety Features, Tips & Tricks E-book Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/rv-safety-features-tips-tricks
RV Care & Maintenance E-Book Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/rv-care-maintenance-e-book-course
RV Battery Care & Maintenance E-Book Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/rv-battery-care-maintenance
Trailer Towing Basics E-Book Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/trailer-towing-basics-e-book
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Posted in General, RV Maintenance, RV products, RV Safety, RV Tips & Hints, RV Training, RV trivia | Tags: copyright infringement, copyright infringement on the internet, registered copyright, RV articles, RV content, RV copyright, RV copyright infringement, RV tips, stolen articles on internet, stolen content on the internet
When you spend fifty thousand dollars or more on a tow vehicle you don’t intentionally neglect the vehicle. But, it is quite possible to neglect certain things without even knowing it. For example, if you don’t have the hitch set-up properly, and too much weight is resting on the hitch ball, you put more strain on the tow vehicle’s suspension system. Another example is not monitoring, or possibly not even knowing what temperature the engine, transmission or other major components are running at. Heat is your tow vehicle’s worst enemy.
So where do we start when it comes to maximizing the life of our tow vehicle? Let’s start with the basics and go from there. CLICK HERE to READ MORE
Tow Your Travel Trailer Like a Pro Video Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/rv-101-trailer-towing-basics
Tow Your 5th Wheel Like a Pro Complete Online Video Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/tow-your-5th-wheel-like-a-pro
Motorhome RV Orientation Video Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/motorhome-rv-orientation-video-training-course
Drive Your Motorhome Like A Pro Complete Online Video Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/drive-your-motorhome-like-a-pro
RV Essential Items Video Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/rv-essential-items
Winterizing and Storing Your RV Video Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/winterizing-and-storing-your-rv-video
Travel Trailer 4 Video Bargain Set Plus Free RV Checklist ebook
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/travel-trailer-video-bundle
5th Wheel 4 Video Bargain Set Plus Free RV Checklist ebook
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/5th-wheel-video-bundle
Motorhome 4 Video Bargain Set Plus Free RV Checklist ebook
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/motorhome-video-bundle
An Introduction to RVs E-book Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/an-introduction-to-rvs
Insider’s Guide to Buying an RV E-Book Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/insider-s-guide-to-buying-an-rv-downloadable-pdf-e-book
Owning & Operating an RV E-Book Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/owning-operating-an-rv
The Original Checklists for RVers E-Book Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/the-original-checklist-s-for-rvers
RV Campground Basics E-Book Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/rv-campground-basics-e-book-course
RV Safety Features, Tips & Tricks E-book Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/rv-safety-features-tips-tricks
RV Care & Maintenance E-Book Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/rv-care-maintenance-e-book-course
RV Battery Care & Maintenance E-Book Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/rv-battery-care-maintenance
Trailer Towing Basics E-Book Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/trailer-towing-basics-e-book
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Posted in Uncategorized
Question: We own a motorhome and my question is; when we are not using it, and this could be for several months at a time, should I start the engine periodically?
Mark’s Answer: The quick answer to your question is yes, but there are other factors that need to be considered too. You didn’t mention if the motorhome was gas or diesel, or if it does or does not have an on-board generator.
The primary reasons for starting an engine during storage is to keep engine components lubricated. and prevent the fuel from tarnishing and gumming up. Both of these conditions can result in expensive repair bills to correct the problem. Diesel fuel can tolerate storage better than gasoline, but you still have concerns about keeping engine components lubricated.
Here’s what I recommend:
The first step is to change the oil and oil filter on the engine and generator prior to storage. Acids accumulate in used engine oil and can corrode engine bearings.
Next, add a fuel preservative to the fuel tank if the RV will sit idle for more than a couple months at a time. You can purchase fuel preservatives at your local auto parts store. Purchase enough to treat the amount of fuel in the fuel tank. Add the preservative and run the engine and the generator long enough for the preservative to get through the entire fuel system.
Note: I also recommend filling the tank with fuel to reduce the amount of condensation.
These preventive maintenance steps will help, but I still recommend starting and running the engine and generator at least monthly when it is in storage. Running the engine allows the oil to lubricate the dry components of the engine, and it helps keep the RV batteries topped off.
I also recommend starting and running the generator on a monthly basis. Make sure you run the generator with at least a half-rated load for an hour or two. You can locate generator load ratings in the generator owner’s manual.
Tow Your Travel Trailer Like a Pro Video Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/rv-101-trailer-towing-basics
Tow Your 5th Wheel Like a Pro Complete Online Video Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/tow-your-5th-wheel-like-a-pro
Motorhome RV Orientation Video Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/motorhome-rv-orientation-video-training-course
Drive Your Motorhome Like A Pro Complete Online Video Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/drive-your-motorhome-like-a-pro
RV Essential Items Video Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/rv-essential-items
Winterizing and Storing Your RV Video Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/winterizing-and-storing-your-rv-video
Travel Trailer 4 Video Bargain Set Plus Free RV Checklist ebook
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/travel-trailer-video-bundle
5th Wheel 4 Video Bargain Set Plus Free RV Checklist ebook
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/5th-wheel-video-bundle
Motorhome 4 Video Bargain Set Plus Free RV Checklist ebook
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/motorhome-video-bundle
An Introduction to RVs E-book Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/an-introduction-to-rvs
Insider’s Guide to Buying an RV E-Book Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/insider-s-guide-to-buying-an-rv-downloadable-pdf-e-book
Owning & Operating an RV E-Book Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/owning-operating-an-rv
The Original Checklists for RVers E-Book Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/the-original-checklist-s-for-rvers
RV Campground Basics E-Book Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/rv-campground-basics-e-book-course
RV Safety Features, Tips & Tricks E-book Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/rv-safety-features-tips-tricks
RV Care & Maintenance E-Book Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/rv-care-maintenance-e-book-course
RV Battery Care & Maintenance E-Book Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/rv-battery-care-maintenance
Trailer Towing Basics E-Book Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/trailer-towing-basics-e-book
Comments Off on Should I Start my Motorhome when it’s in Storage?
Posted in Beginning RVer, RV Batteries, RV Maintenance, RV products, RV Tips & Hints | Tags: rv storage, RV storage tips and tricks, should I start RV when it is stored, start generator during storage
How to Buy the Right RV & Save Thousands Video Training Program
Travel Trailer & 5th Wheel Trailer walk through RV Orientation Video Training
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Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: RV how to, rv orientation, RV video
About a year ago we purchased a permanent RV lot at the beach and put a fifth wheel trailer on the lot so we could do some destination type camping. When we started using the camper for a few short weekend trips I noticed our cellular signal and internet connection was spotty at the campsite. We plan to use the camper more often after we get it set up the way we want and a poor cellular signal could be problematic, especially if we stay there during the work week. Read More…
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Posted in Beginning RVer, General, RV Campgrounds, RV Destinations, RV products, RV Tips & Hints | Tags: how to boost your cell phone signal, How to improve cell phone signal at the campground, Improve campground internet connection, improve your RV internet connection, weBoost cell signal booster, weBoost Connect RV 65
To keep up with the latest technology and to further your RV training, we have updated our online video training program. An in-depth, self-paced multi subject online RV training program:
RV Orientation Video Courses:
Travel Trailer & 5th Wheel Trailer RV Orientation Video Training Course
What does RV orientation mean?
RV orientation is a term we use to describe an RV dealer’s class given to the consumer after an RV is sold. The RV Industry term is RV walk through.
Buying an RV is exciting and when you pick it up, the only thing on your mind is getting it home and planning that first exciting adventure. Yes, the dealer gave you a walk-through of the unit, but there was so much information and excitement that it was overwhelming. Now it’s in your driveway and you can’t remember everything that was covered. We understand that feeling and we have you covered.
Our RV Orientation program helps to build excitement prior to accepting delivery while providing preliminary training before the dealer staff gives the RV customer the official walk through. This will cut down on dealer walkthrough time, questions and follow-up calls to the dealership.
It is our goal to assist you in learning how to properly and safely use and maintain your Recreation Vehicle. In our unique online training course we put the RV dealer walk through class into video format (with supporting text and learning tools) so you can watch it as many times as you like, or need, until you are comfortable using your new RV.
What kind of online training will I receive?
The easy to understand format uses charts and hands-on demonstration to cover topics like campground setup, the LP gas system, water system, wastewater system, and the electrical system. In addition to the major systems of an RV the video includes instruction on RV appliances and RV accessories. The video is generic and covers towable adn motorized RV’s.
If there are other RV topics you are interested in learning about after completing the orientation training course be sure and check out our entire offering of RV training courses available at RV Training Online:
Towing and Driving Video Courses:
Tow Your Travel Trailer Like a Pro Video Training Course
Tow Your 5th Wheel Like a Pro Complete Online Video Training Course
Drive Your Motorhome Like A Pro Complete Online Video Training Course
Happy RV Learning!
Mark and Dawn Polk
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Posted in Uncategorized
A common repair made on RVs is resealing or replacing a window. In most cases the owner takes the RV to a service facility to have the repairs done. Today I’m going to demonstrate how the do-it-yourselfer can reseal and replace RV windows using a brand new Seal-tite™ Foamcore Window Kit.
The Seal-Tite™ Window Foamcore Kit is designed to provide you with everything you need to repair a leaking RV window or to reseal a RV window. It contains enough Foamcore in the kit to reseal up to 6-8 windows, depending on size. It requires no trimming, it will not sag or ooze, and it has excellent temperature resistance in warm and cold climates. The round shape of the Seal-Tite Foamcore allows precise placement around the window radiuses and it will not gap, fall off, or roll.
http://catalog.sealdesignllc.com/product/seal-tite-window-foamcore-kit/
Happy Camping,
Mark J. Polk
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Posted in Beginning RVer, General, RV Maintenance, RV products, RV Safety, RV Tips & Hints, RV Types | Tags: how to fix leaky rv window, how to replace a RV window, how to reseal an RV window, RV maintenance, RV window maintenance, RV window replacement video
Take a minute to think about the water system on your RV. First, consider that you add and use water from a different source every time you take the RV camping. Second, consider that some water remains in the RV water lines and in the fresh water holding tank, even after you drain it. This water could potentially sit for several months at a time between RV trips and during storage.
These two points alone should convince you that filtering your RV water makes sense. I always recommend you sanitize the RV water system every spring when you take the RV out of storage, and any time you detect an odor in the plumbing system. I will save sanitizing the RV water system for another article, so we can concentrate of water filtration.
After making the decision to filter your RV water there are different ways you can do it. One option is to filter all the water coming into the RV. Some people like this option because even the water you shower with is filtered. There are water filtration systems that can be installed directly into the RV’s plumbing system, and other filters you simply connect in-line using the RV drinking hose. To go a step further, there water filtration systems that have a single filter and others that use two canisters, which usually means there is a sediment filter and a some type of carbon filter used in the plumbing system.
Yet another option is, to filter your drinking water only. In this case the water filter is usually installed in-line under the counter at the sink, or sinks you drink from in the RV.
There are numerous brands of filtration systems to choose from, and many are designed specifically with RVs in mind. Water filters are not difficult to install. You can do-it-yourself, or take the RV to your local RV dealer and have the installation done.
Either way, I personally think filtering the water is a smart decision and it gives you piece of mind the water you drink, cook with and shower with is completely safe to use.
To learn more about your RV, visit RV Online Training
Happy Camping
Mark Polk
RV Education 101®
Comments Off on RV Water Filters, Do I Really Need One?
Posted in Beginning RVer, General, RV Campgrounds, RV Maintenance, RV products, RV Safety, RV Tips & Hints | Tags: how to filter water in your RV, RV drinking water filter, RV drinking water safety, RV water filtration, types of RV water filters
If there is any time you don’t need, but can expect weak cell signals it is when you are traveling. If your job or business involves driving on a regular basis you cannot afford missed or dropped calls every time you travel through a weak signal area.
We experienced this problem frequently when we travel in our RV. We take our business with us on the road and we need dependable cellular access and fast data rates, especially in weak signal areas. The solution I discovered for the RV was the weboost 4GX RV cellular signal booster. It works great in the RV when we are stationary and when we are on the road.
The 4GX RV cell signal booster solved the problem we had traveling in our RV, but when we are back home I still travel a great deal in my truck. At minimum I drive the 80 mile round-trip to my shop at least three times a week. We live in a rural part of Eastern North Carolina and I constantly travel through two sections of road where the cell signal is weak for several miles. It never fails, I miss calls or have dropped calls driving to and from the shop.
I was totally happy with the weboost product I installed in the RV, so I went back to the weboost website in search of a solution for my vehicle. I found a product called Drive Sleek that was designed specifically for my needs. The Drive Sleek product works similar to the RV product.
When you install the outside antenna it accesses the cell tower for voice, text and data signals when you are parked or in motion.
The booster receives the signal from the outside antenna and amplifies the signal up to 32 times before sending it to the inside antenna. The inside antenna broadcasts the boosted signal to all devices inside the vehicle.
After the installation is complete you simply place your phone in the cradle. When it is connected to a 12-volt port in your vehicle and the solid white LED is illuminated on the cradle you get up to 32 times better cell coverage everywhere you go.
The weboost Drive Sleek was easy to install and the convenient cradle secures your phone to a vent on the dashboard. To test the product I drove my usual route over to the shop and when I entered the weak signal areas I made a phone call. We were able to talk throughout the weak signal zone without any issues or dropped calls. After years of putting up with poor cell signal coverage in these areas I drive every day I am convinced beyond any question that the Drive Sleek product delivers on what it advertises.
If you travel a lot and cannot afford to miss phone calls, have dropped calls or you need faster data I would encourage you to look at what weboost has to offer.
Mark Polk
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Posted in Beginning RVer, General, RV Destinations, RV products, RV Tips & Hints | Tags: cell signal booster, faster data on the road, how to boost cell signal, weBoost cell signal booster, weboost Drive Sleek, weboost installation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RV Education 101 Releases RV101 at the Campground Publication
Wilmington, NC – October, 2017 – RV Education 101, announced today a new RV101® at the Campground publication to help assist and educate RV owners and potential owners on numerous topics concerning RV Campgrounds.
Mark Polk, co-owner stated, “Last January we replaced our 6-year running monthly RV Consumer digital publication with a new monthly digital newsletter format titled RV101® This Month. Numerous monthly subscribers have contacted us requesting periodic issues similar to the old magazine style format. We recently made the decision to publish quarterly issues focusing on topics of interest to the RV consumer and RV enthusiast. We are happy to announce the first quarterly issue titled RV101® at the Campground is now available”
This latest RV101 publication coincides with many other web sites and social media venues RV Education 101® currently offers with the continuing goal of helping to educate RV consumers.
Dawn Polk added, “The campground issue offers suggestions on different types of campgrounds and campsites readers may not know are available to them, and other relevant information like pre-trip checks, campground set-up checklists and campground etiquette. We plan to release similar issues on topics RV consumers are interested and curious about on a quarterly basis.”
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Posted in Beginning RVer, General
Preventive maintenance is simple maintenance checks owners can make before a problem exists. For example if you check and adjust your tire inflation prior to leaving on a trip you might avoid a tire blow-out caused by an under-inflated tire. Watch the RV how-to video below to get Mark Polk’s top 7 preventive maintenance tips to help extend the life of your RV or tow vehicle’s engine. These simple RV preventive maintenance procedures can add years of life to your RV and/or tow vehicle.
For more helpful preventive maintenance checks for your RV check out the RV Education 101 RV Care & Maintenance videos, ebooks & download products
Happy RV Learning
RV Education 101
Subscribe here to receive our free RV Education 101 monthly newsletter
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Posted in Beginning RVer, RV Batteries, RV Electrical System, RV Maintenance, RV products, RV Safety, RV Tips & Hints, RV Tires, RV Training, RV Types, Trailer Towing Topics | Tags: RV 101 videos, RV how to videos, RV maintenance for beginners, RV maintenance tips, RV preventive maintenance tips
When you plug your RV into the power pedestal at the campground you have no idea what you are plugging in to. The potential for problems is high since it’s quite common for your RV to be exposed to faulty wiring like an open neutral, open ground or reverse polarity. If expensive appliances and sensitive electronic equipment in your RV like inverters, microwaves, entertainment centers and refrigerators are exposed to improper wiring or faulty electrical power, even for a few seconds, they can be damaged beyond repair.
Another problem is, even with proper wiring, your RV’s electrical system is exposed to other dangers at the campground. The quality of electrical service at RV campgrounds changes based on numerous factors, like old electrical connections, how many RVs are using the campground power and the load they are putting on it, faulty wiring and bad weather. Any of these conditions can result in exposing your RV to voltage sags, surges and spikes.
The operating ranges for 120-volt appliances in your RV are 103 volts to 132 volts. If you operate appliances above or below these ranges there is extreme heat build-up. Electric motors, circuit boards and electronics cannot withstand this kind of heat. The bottom line is your RV is equipped with highly sophisticated electronics and expensive appliances that need to be protected against all of these potential threats. Now that we understand what the threats are let’s see what can we do about it?
I highly recommend using a surge protector designed to identify and help protect the RV’s entire electrical system from the potential dangers I just discussed. You just plug the surge protector into the campground’s electrical supply, check for any faults indicated, and plug the RV power cord into the opposite end and you are done. But you need the right surge protector for the job. I personally use Surge Guard products.
Before we talk about the right product for the job I want to briefly explain what the term Joules means. When there is a voltage spike or faulty power supply the surge protector absorbs and dissipates the excess energy. The Joule rating measures the maximum amount of energy the surge guard product can absorb or dissipate. The higher the rating, the more protection it provides.
For the sake of an example let’s say you have a travel trailer with a 30 amp electrical system. A very affordable Surge Guard product that provides lots of features would be Model 44280. It is 120-volts, 30 amps with a 2100 Joule rating.
This particular model identifies faulty park power while providing surge protection. It features an easy to read LED fault chart. Note: If the display on the face indicates a faulty or improperly wired pedestal when you plug the Surge Guard into the campground pedestal do not plug the RV into the Surge Guard unit. Notify the campground office and have it checked.
The Model 44280 tests for and indicates:
That’s a lot of bang for the buck! There is an entire family of Surge Guard products available for any size or type of RV. You can choose a portable model or hard-wire a unit into the RVs electrical system. There are numerous features available depending on the model Surge Guard you choose, and there are full protection models available too. Our motorhome has a 50 amp electrical system and I personally use Model 34850 Surge Guard. It is a full protection model that provides all the protection I need for my RV.
I think you would agree that some type of surge protection makes a lot of sense. Depending on the RV there can be thousands of dollars worth of appliances and sensitive electronic equipment that can be damaged in a short time after plugging in at the campground. There are different brands and different types of surge protection available, but the most important thing is that you have and use one that can do the job based on your specific needs.
Happy RV Learning,
Mark Polk
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Posted in Beginning RVer, General, RV Campgrounds, RV Electrical System, RV Maintenance, RV products, RV Safety, RV Tips & Hints, RV Types | Tags: faulty campground wiring, protect you RV electrical system, RV campground wiring, RV electric tips, RV electrical system, RV surge guard, RV surge protector, rv tips and tricks
When you travel by RV it’s a good idea to be prepared for the unexpected. This is especially true when you arrive at your campground destination. I could probably list 20 items that are helpful in making campground connections, but there are 10 items that help ensure reliable connections at the campground every time.
#10-Coax Cable
The majority of campgrounds you stay at will offer access to some type of cable television. To make the connection you will need coax cable. I keep a 25-foot roll of coax cable in the RV and I always had plenty of cable to make the connection from the RV to the campground cable connector.
#9-Disposable Gloves
I keep a supply of inexpensive disposable gloves on hand in the RV. They work great for all of your RV holding tank and waste-water management chores, and they are handy for routine maintenance on the RV too.
#8-Water Regulator
You never know what the water pressure will be at a campground. A water regulator helps protect your RV plumbing system from high water pressure that is common at many campgrounds. Always connect the regulator at the source of the water to regulate the pressure before it enters the drinking hose or the RV.
Watch a video for more information on water regulators
#7-RV Extension Cord
Sometimes the RV power cord is not long enough to reach the campground electrical connection. When this happens you need an extension cord that is compatible with the electrical system on your RV. Regular household extension cords are not rated for 30 plus amps.
Watch a video for more information on RV extension cords
#6-Stackable Leveling Blocks
Some campsites are fairly level and some aren’t. It’s a good idea to keep some stackable leveling blocks on hand in the RV. When you position the RV on the site you can use the stackable leveling blocks to level the RV, and if it’s a towable RV the leveling blocks can be used under the tongue jack or landing gear. Leveling blocks not only assist in leveling the RV, they provide solid footing when the ground is sandy, loose or wet.
#5-Water Filtration
I highly recommend some type of water filtration system. There are several types of water filters available, designed specifically for use with RVs. You can install an under the counter filter directly to a faucet you use to drink from, or you can use an external filtration system designed to filter all of the water going into the RV.
Watch a video for more information on RV Water Filtration
#4-Electrical Adapters
When you travel in your RV you never know what type of electrical service will be available, and the day will come when you need an RV adapter cord to make the electrical connection at the campground. I recommend keeping several electrical adapters on hand in the RV at all times.
Watch a video for more information on RV electrical adapters
#3- RV Drinking Water Hoses & Regular Garden Hose
I recommend keeping an assortment of potable RV drinking water hoses in the RV. I keep a 4-foot, 10-foot and 25-foot drinking hose in the RV at all times so I can always reach the campground water supply. I take an ordinary garden hose for cleaning the RV and for rinsing and flushing the holding tanks. The garden hose should be green, black or gray in color. RV drinking water hoses are normally white or blue, so the colors will help you distinguish between the two types of hoses.
Watch a video for more information on RV drinking water hoses
#2-RV Sewer Hoses & Adapters
Like drinking water hoses, I recommend keeping extra lengths of sewer hoses on hand too. I keep a 10-foot and a 20-foot drain hose in the RV at all times. You never know how far you will be away from the campground sewer drain. I also recommend using heavy-duty RV sewer drain hoses. They do not cost much more than a standard sewer hose and will last much longer. RV sewer drain outlets not only come in different sizes, but some are smooth pipe while others are threaded pipe. This is why I recommend an assortment of adapters to make the connection at the campground sewer or dump station drain outlet. I keep a universal RV sewer adapter on hand that fits most smooth and threaded pipe drain outlets at the campground.
Watch a video for more information on RV sewer adapters
#1-Surge Protector for the RV
I highly recommend using some type of surge protector that will protect the RV’s electrical system from possible damage. There are several different surge protector products available. I personally use Surge Guard products on my RV. The surge guard I use protects the RV from faulty wiring at a campground like an open neutral, open ground and reverse polarity. It also protects against voltage sags, surges and spikes. The bottom line is your RV is equipped with some highly sophisticated electronics and expensive appliances that need to be protected against all of these potential threats. Watch a video for more information
I mentioned earlier that there are lots of helpful products when it comes to making connections at the campground, but these are my top 10 products for consistently reliable campground connections.
Happy RV Learning,
Mark Polk
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Posted in Beginning RVer, General, RV Campgrounds, RV Destinations, RV Electrical System, RV Maintenance, RV products, RV Safety, RV Tips & Hints, RV Types | Tags: campground hook ups, RV, RV campground, RV campground connections, RV electrical adapters, RV extension cords, RV fater filter, RV hook ups, RV leveling, RV sewer hoses, RV surge protection, RV water regulator
Last year I started having problems with our old bat wing style TV antenna on the RV, so I decided to replace it with a digital RV antenna. After some research on the topic I decided to go with the Rayzar Z1 HD digital RV antenna by Winegard. There were several reasons I selected this antenna. It is low profile, lightweight and it picks up free HD channels wherever you travel. Another reason I selected this antenna is because it can replace the existing antenna with minimal effort.
You can purchase the Rayzar z1 as a complete unit or as the antenna head with adapter. It would be easier and less expensive to go with the antenna head that retrofits directly to the existing antenna, but as I mentioned earlier our antenna has seen better days so I opted to go with the complete unit.
Caution: Exercise caution when you are working on the RV roof, a fall can result in serious injury or worse. If you are not comfortable working on the RV roof have the work done by a qualified RV service facility.
The first step was to remove the old antenna. I use a plastic scraping tool to remove the old sealant and access the mounting screws. Whenever you remove old sealant from a rubber roof be extremely careful not to tear the rubber roofing. Remove all of the sealant and the mounting screws, but do not attempt to remove the antenna before you remove the antenna handle on the inside of the RV.
Go inside the RV and remove the old antenna handle. Remove the Allen screw from the handle using the correct size Allen wrench. After the handle is removed the entire assembly can be removed from the ceiling.
Go back on the roof to remove the old antenna. Disconnect the coax cable and carefully separate the antenna from the roof. In most cases there will be putty tape under the antenna base. I use the plastic scraping tool to work around the base releasing the old sealant. Try not to tear the roofing material. After the antenna is removed clean any remaining sealant that was under the antenna base. As a final step I like to clean the roof surface with some denatured alcohol on a rag. Do not pour the alcohol directly on the roof surface.
If this was a new installation this is where you would select a location for the new antenna and drill a hole through the roof. Since I am replacing the existing antenna the hole is already there.
The instructions state to position the antenna in the hole with the arrow on the base plate facing the front of the RV, and draw an outline around the antenna base. The outline is used so you can apply an approved sealant around the inside surface of the line to seal the antenna base to the roof when it is installed. I prefer to apply the sealant directly on the antenna base so I know the screw holes are covered and I will get a good seal.
Connect the coax cable from the RV to the coax on the new antenna following the instructions. Position the antenna on the roof with the arrow at the base of the antenna facing the front of the RV.
There are screws provided to secure the antenna to the roof. I tighten the screws until I start to see the butyl tape ooze out around the edges. Remove any exposed butyl tape and apply an approved sealant over the screw heads and around the base of the antenna. This antenna has a smaller footprint than the original antenna so there were two existing screw holes in the roof that were not covered by the new antenna base. I added some sealant over the screw holes and as a precautionary measure I will add some roof sealing tape over the sealant after it cures.
You are finished on the roof. The remainder of the installation is done inside the RV. Install the plastic extrusion in the hole and rotate it until the keys line up with the bottom of the antenna. With the keys aligned push the extrusion up until it bottoms out. Check to make sure the antenna rotates and follow the instructions to cut the extrusion to the proper length for your ceiling.
Follow the instructions to assemble the new handle and install the handle using the screws provided. Test the operation of the handle by pushing up on the handle and rotating it in either direction. The antenna on the roof should rotate as the handle is turned.
If this were a new installation the next step would be to install the provided wall plate and make the 12 volt DC power connections and the coax cable connections. Since I am replacing the existing antenna I already have a video switch box to make my coax cable connections.
After all of the connections are made turn the TV on and follow the TV’s instructions and perform a channel scan in the antenna mode. The new HD digital RV antenna will access local HD and digital broadcast channels in the area. To maximize the number of channels you receive you can fine tune the position of the antenna by rotating the handle.
Note: If you still have an analog television in your RV you will need a digital TV converter box to access local HD and digital broadcast channels.
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Happy RV Learning,
Mark Polk
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Posted in Beginning RVer, General, RV products, RV Tips & Hints, RV Types | Tags: digital antenna for RVs, how to install a RV antenna, RV antenna, RV HD antenna, RV TV antenna installation, Winegard TV antenna for RV
Is your RV ready for the upcoming camping season?
When I park our RV after the last trip of the season I look forward to this time of year rolling around again, time to go camping. Last winter I was a little lazy and put the RV in storage knowing there were some maintenance related issues that would need to be addressed this spring. When you combine those items with routine spring preparation checks you need to dedicate some time to get the RV ready to go camping again.
If you follow my work you have more-than-likely heard me use the term preventive maintenance. I spent an entire career in the Army teaching young soldiers the value of preventive maintenance, and a second career passing the same valuable lessons on to RV owners. For those of you not familiar with the term, preventive maintenance is maintenance you perform on your RV, automobile, house or anything else before a problem exists. Preventive maintenance checks are designed to prevent or identify potential problems that could lead to mechanical breakdown, malfunction, or failure of a component or system on your RV. It consists of cleaning, inspecting, lubricating, adjusting and servicing your RV.
To go one step further with my explanation I like to explain that a lack of preventive maintenance and/or scheduled maintenance will eventually result in emergency maintenance. For example, if you don’t check the air pressure in your tires (preventive maintenance) the under-inflated tire over heats and prematurely fails resulting in (emergency maintenance). Emergency maintenance usually leaves you stranded alongside the road, not exactly how you want to start the first RV trip of the season!
To learn more check out our RV Care & Preventive Maintenance Video Course
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Posted in Beginning RVer, RV Batteries, RV Electrical System, RV Maintenance, RV Safety, RV Tips & Hints, RV Tires, Trailer Towing Topics | Tags: RV 101 tips & tricks, RV check up, RV checklist, RV maintenance, RV maintenance tips and hints, RV spring checks, RV spring preparation checks, RV videos
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Sometimes when you camp in your RV the RV power cord is not long enough to reach the campground electrical connection. When this happens you need an extension cord that is compatible with the electrical system on your RV. Valterra Products has you covered with their full line of Mighty Cord RV extension cords and detachable power cords.
Happy RV Learning,
Mark Polk
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Posted in Beginning RVer, RV Campgrounds, RV Destinations, RV Electrical System, RV products, RV Tips & Hints | Tags: 30 amp RV extension cords, 50 amp RV extension cords, Mighty Cord RV Extension Cords, RV extension cords, RV power cords
Awnings are a great feature to have on your RV. There are several different types of RV awnings and they serve different purposes. There are window and door awnings that provide shade and keep rain away from your RV windows or entry door. There are slide-out awnings that protect the slide-out roof from debris and water. And there are patio awnings. Patio awnings extend the living area of our outdoor world. Similar to the front porch of your home, the patio awning provides us with shade and cover from a light rain when we want to sit and enjoy the great outdoors.
The awnings on your RV will provide years of reliable trouble free operation, if you take the time to do a little preventive maintenance and cleaning.
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Posted in Beginning RVer, RV Maintenance, RV products, RV Tips & Hints, RV Types | Tags: how to maintain an RV awning, RV awning care, RV awning maintenance, RV awning operation, RV awnings
When you are getting ready to take a trip in your RV there are lots of things that need to be done. Planning the trip itself can be overwhelming. Travel guides, magazines, state tourism boards and Internet sites offer valuable information to help you plan your next RV trip. To help make planning your trips a little easier I wrote this trip planning checklist. This is an excerpt from my Checklist for RVers e-book
Here are some tips to help you plan for your next RV trip:
This trip planning checklist does not cover everything required to plan an RV trip, but it’s a good start. You can add to this list to tailor it to your specific needs. For more checklists like this check out our Checklist for RVers e-book
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Happy RV Learning,
Mark Polk
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Posted in Beginning RVer, General, RV Campgrounds, RV Destinations, RV Maintenance, RV Safety, RV Tips & Hints, RV Tires, RV Types, Trailer Towing Topics | Tags: how to plan an RV trip, RV 101 checklists, RV checklists, RV destinations, RV trip planning, RV trip planning checklist, RV trips
Today we’re going to tackle an RV floor covering do-it-yourself project in our used RV project 5th wheel trailer.
Click here to watch other DIY videos on our used RV project 5th wheel trailer.
The original floor covering in the RV is showing some age and we thought it would be a fun weekend project to replace it. When it was time to decide on a new floor covering we wanted something that was rated for commercial traffic, and that looked good too. After some research I found Infinity Luxury Woven Vinyl. Infinity LWV products are popular in the marine industry and they are making a presence in the RV industry too. Infinity offers numerous collections of luxury woven vinyl products in more than 100 colors. We decided on the Linen luxury fabric because it highlights some of the RV’s interior treatments.
Infinity luxury woven vinyl is anti-microbial, soil and stain resistant, fade resistant and easy to clean. It has a dense cushion backing, and its pet friendly which is great for us. Here is how we installed Infinity LWV flooring in the RV.
The first step of the pre-installation process was to determine where we wanted the new flooring and then remove the existing flooring, which in our case included carpet and vinyl.
With that done we can start on the installation. It’s important to note when you work with this product it must be rolled face out, with the cushion in. Do not crease the fabric at all. The warranty is voided if it is rolled wrong, creased, or if the product was cut, fitted or installed. Let’s get started.
Note: Prior to cutting the product inspect it for any problems. If the fabric does not meet your expectations contact Infinity’s customer support.
Preparing the Floor for Installation
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Posted in RV products, RV Training, Uncategorized | Tags: infinity lwv flooring, RV DIY, RV DIY articles
When temperatures drop we winterize our RVs so we won’t have problems next spring, but winterizing your RV is only part of preparing the RV for winter storage. Lots of folks don’t think about it, but proper RV storage procedures are just as important as winterizing the RV’s plumbing system.
Here are my top 5 RV storage tips:
These RV storage tips do not cover everything you need to be concerned about when storing your RV, but it’s a good start.
RV Storage Tip #1
When preparing the unit for storage I always wash the exterior and clean the interior thoroughly. Make sure all awning fabric is clean and dry before stowing the awnings. This is a good time to inspect all of the roof seams, body seams and window sealant for any cracks or openings that would let water penetrate the surface. Water can get in the smallest openings so it’s important that you closely inspect all of the sealants. Consult your RV owner’s manual or RV dealer for sealants compatible with any surfaces you are resealing.
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Posted in Beginning RVer, RV Batteries, RV Electrical System, RV Maintenance, RV products, RV Safety, RV Tips & Hints, RV Tires | Tags: how to store your RV, RV maintenance, RV storage covers, RV storage tips, RV storage tips and tricks, RV winterizing, Storing your RV
Question: Can you tell me the correct pressure to inflate my RV tires to prior to taking a road trip? My travel trailer tires show a max psi of 70lbs on the tire’s sidewall. I can’t seem to get a straight answer from our local shops, and I want to make sure I don’t overheat or damage them. Thanks for any information you can provide.
Mark’s Answer:
This can be a bit confusing, but I’ll try and explain it. Tire manufacturers publish tire load and inflation tables for the tires they manufacture. In a perfect world you would know what the actual load placed on the tire is and you could go to the load and inflation tables for precise inflation pressures based on that load.
Of course things never work out that way. Since we know this isn’t always practical there are a couple methods to help determine tire inflation pressure. On the front left corner of the travel trailer you will find a Federal Certification Tag or label and a Tire and Loading Information label. These labels display information on tire inflation pressure, Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). The tire inflation you see on this label is based on the trailer’s designed load limits. If no additional weight is placed on tires this inflation pressure is accurate. The question is how much weight is placed on each individual tire? The only way to answer that is to have the RV weighed by individual tire position. If you can’t or don’t weigh the RV by individual tire position using the information on the certification label is the next best thing.
The inflation pressure molded into the sidewall of the tire is the maximum amount of air pressure you can ever inflate the tire to if a full load was placed on the tire. You can locate the maximum load range on the tires sidewall.
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Posted in Beginning RVer, RV Maintenance, RV Safety, RV Tips & Hints, RV Tires, RV Types, Trailer Towing Topics | Tags: how much air do I put in RV tires, RV tire care, RV tire inflation, RV tire maintenance, RV tire pressure
Welcome back to another edition of RV Consumer E-Magazine. In this cold weather issue Mark discusses important topics like winterizing your RV, cold weather maintenance and RV storage. This issue also features a fall and winter camping tips article and three RV videos of the month.
Happy Camping,
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Posted in Beginning RVer, Free RV Consumer E-Magazine, General, RV Batteries, RV Campgrounds, RV Maintenance, RV products, RV Safety, RV Tips & Hints, RV Tires, RV Types | Tags: cold weather camping tips, Cold weather RV tips, RV magazine, RV maintenance, rv storage, RV tips, RV winterizing
Periodic roof inspections and maintenance can extend the life to your RV roof, and the work is not difficult for RV owner’s to perform.
Today I want to discuss the correct way to apply new lap sealant on your RV roof.
To get many years of reliable service from your RV roof it’s important to properly maintain the roof. A major component of RV roof maintenance is inspecting the roof sealants periodically. If there is a way for water to penetrate the sealants it will find it.
Caution: Safety first, whenever you are working on your RV roof exercise caution. A fall can result in serious injury or death.
When you inspect the sealants on your RV roof the key is to look closely for any cracks or separation in the old sealant where water could penetrate the surface. This means getting on your hands and knees and really inspecting all of the sealants.
Prior to resealing any sealants on the roof, you need to thoroughly clean the old sealant, and the surrounding roof surface so the new sealant can adhere to the surface. I use Dicor Rubber Roof Cleaner to first clean the area, followed by some denatured alcohol on a clean cloth as a final preparation.
If the old sealant you are resealing has lifted or separated from the surface of the roof and can be removed go ahead and remove it. Otherwise it’s best to leave it alone and seal over the old sealant.
Make sure you use the correct sealant for the roof’s surface. Consult your RV owner’s manual or local RV dealer for the proper sealant. Use a standard caulking gun and run a bead of caulk over the area you are resealing. If you are sealing a crack or separation in the old sealant you don’t need to apply as much sealant as you would for a new application.
For more information about caring for your RV check out our RV Care & Preventive Maintenance Video Training
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Posted in Beginning RVer, General, RV Maintenance, RV products, RV Safety, RV Tips & Hints | Tags: how to apply RV sealants, how to reseal RV roof, RV roof care, RV roof maintenance, RV roof sealants, RV sealants
Have you ever arrived at your camping destination only to realize the RV sewer hose wasn’t long enough to reach the sewer drain outlet? I think this happens to most of us eventually. To help solve the problem I recommend keeping some RV sewer extension hoses on hand in the RV.
There are several different types and sizes of extension hoses available.
For starters lots of RVs have offset drain outlets inside the sewer compartment making it difficult to connect to the RV drain outlet itself. There are 2-foot extension hoses, referred to as compartment hoses to help solve this problem. Some of these extension hoses have built-in rotating fittings making it easy to connect to those tight compartment fittings.
The day will surely arrive when you need additional length hose to reach the campground drain outlet. There are 5 and 10-foot extension hoses available to add length to your sewer hose. Connecting two hoses together is easy with the standard bayonet fittings.
Keep in mind you get what you pay for; like everything else some RV sewer hoses are better than others. The vinyl wrap the hose is made of comes in different thicknesses, and heavier vinyl hoses are less prone to pin holes and wear. Some RV sewer hoses are made with better connectors for a secure leak- free connection at the campground.
You will be glad you have extension hoses on hand when you need them. I personally keep a 2-foot, 5-foot and 10-foot extension hose in the RV, in addition to a 20-foot drain hose. Research the various brands of extension hoses available and purchase a couple different size hoses just in case. If your RV travels take you to different campgrounds I can almost guarantee you will need extension hoses someday. Watch the video
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Happy RV Learning,
Mark Polk
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Posted in Beginning RVer, RV Campgrounds, RV Destinations, RV Maintenance, RV products, RV Tips & Hints | Tags: RV campground connections, RV essential items, RV holding tank maintenance, RV sewer extension hose, RV sewer hook up, RV sewer hoses
How much water should I add to my RV battery?
That’s a good question, but before I answer your question let’s talk briefly about checking the electrolyte levels in your lead-acid batteries. Checking the water level in lead-acid battery cells on a regular basis can save, and extend the life of your RV batteries. The more a battery is used and/or charged the more water evaporates from the cells. I recommend checking the water level monthly and after each RV trip. If you leave the RV plugged in, constantly charging the battery, you should check the water levels bi-monthly.
Next it’s important to know you only add water to a fully charged battery, unless the water level is already below the plates in the cell. If the water level is below the plates add just enough water to cover the plates and recharge the battery. When a battery is fully charged the water level is at the most accurate level. This is when you should check battery water levels.
Note: If you are not comfortable working on or near lead-acid batteries have a qualified RV repair facility perform the battery maintenance for you. When you work around batteries wear goggles and gloves, remove all jewelry and do not smoke or use any open flames.
To answer your question when you add water to a battery you only fill the cell to 1/8 inch below the bottom of the fill-well or split-ring. If you look inside the battery cell you will see a plastic ring that extends down inside the cell roughly 1 inch. This is what is referred to as the fill-well or split-ring. The electrolyte solution in lead-acid batteries is a mixture of sulfuric acid and water. If you add too much water a couple things will happen that can be detrimental to the battery and to you.
Over filling a battery is bad, but even worse is when a battery is under-watered. When a battery is not recharged in a timely or when the plates are not covered by the electrolyte solution the plates begin to sulfate. The sulfate material attaches to the discharged or exposed portions of the plates and begins to harden into crystals. Eventually the sulfate material cannot be converted back into active plate material and the battery is ruined. Battery sulfation is the number one cause of battery failure. Always make sure the plates are covered by the electrolyte solution. When you add water to a battery only use mineral free water, distilled water is best.
Follow these basic battery maintenance procedures and add years of life to your lead acid RV and automobile batteries. For more information on RV batteries, check our RV Battery Care & Maintenance E-book course
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Happy RV Learning,
Mark Polk
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Posted in Beginning RVer, General, RV Batteries, RV Electrical System, RV Maintenance, RV Safety, RV Tips & Hints, RV Training | Tags: add water to RV battery, battery electrolyte, RV battery maintenance, RV battery safety, RV battery sulfation, RV battery tips, watering RV batteries
When I was a teenager and went tent camping in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania we packed coolers with ice to keep our food cold and frozen. I remember making runs to the local country store every couple days to pick up more bags of ice for the coolers.
Those days are long gone. Now when we go camping, tailgating, to a sporting event or on RV trips we take a portable refrigerator/freezer by Dometic. They come in a variety of sizes (from 28 to 95 liters) and with numerous options to meet your specific needs. If you are on-the-go and need to keep drinks or food cold or frozen these portable refrigerator/freezers by Dometic are essential equipment.
We started with a smaller portable unit and when our needs changed we checked out the new CFX-95DZUS Dual-Zone Portable Refrigerator & Freezer. It is loaded with features and options, but the most unique feature is the separate compartments so you can refrigerate and freeze at the same time. One compartment is 54 liters and the other compartment is 40.5 liters for a total storage capacity of 94.5 liters. The dual-zone feature is available in the CFX-65DZUS and CFX-95DZUS models. On the CFX-95DZUS model you can set either compartment anywhere from -8 degrees F to +50 degrees F so you can make either the 54 Liter side or the 40.5 liter side freeze or refrigerate (or both sides freeze or both sides refrigerate).
It comes with removable wire baskets for easy loading & cleaning. The CFX-95DZUS holds 117 12-oz. cans so keeping your kids entire sports team hydrated, or keeping beverages cold for an outdoor party is easy. It also features a dairy compartment for perishables.
The tough and tested exterior is made to endure the harshest outdoor environments. It has durable latches, hinges, and drop-down handles designed to stand the test of time. It operates on 12-volt and 24-volt DC power or 120-volt AC power. Just plug it in and the powerful but energy efficient compressor starts cooling immediately. There is a USB port to charge a mobile device, and it has a built-in battery protection feature that can be set to Hi, Med, or Low when you are using 12VDC. This feature prevents the vehicle battery from draining if the 12-volt outlet stays powered when the vehicle is not running.
The features don’t stop there. When it is turned on you will notice a digital temperature display and a soft-touch control panel. The temperature an be set from -8°F to +50°F (-22°C to +10°C). The memory feature maintains presets if the system is turned off and there is a quick-chill turbo feature too.
The CFX-95DZUS model also has an iOS & Android app to control the portable cooler functions with your smartphone. I mentioned earlier that these portable refrigerator freezers are great for RV trips, back yard BBQs, sporting events, camping and tailgating. If you are active and on-the-go and need to keep food and drinks cold or frozen check out these versatile portable refrigerator/freezers by Dometic
Happy Camping,
Mark Polk
RV Education 101 http://rveducation101.com/
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Posted in Beginning RVer, General, RV Campgrounds, RV Destinations, RV products, RV Tips & Hints, RV Types | Tags: coolers for camping, Dometic portable refrigerator freezer, dometic rv products, portable coolers, portable freezer, portable refrigerator freezer
This article pertains to deep-cycle lead-acid batteries used in RV applications. Properly maintained deep-cycle batteries should last for 6 or more years. Unfortunately some RV owners replace RV batteries every year or two. Extending battery life is not that difficult, it just requires some basic care & maintenance.
Today I would like to offer my top 10 tips to extend the life of your RV and automobile lead acid batteries.
Caution: Always keep safety in mind when working around lead-acid batteries. Lead-acid batteries contain sulfuric acid that is extremely corrosive and can cause severe burns or blindness. The hydrogen gas produced by lead-acid batteries during charging is very explosive. When you work around batteries you need to wear goggles, gloves and remove any jewelry. Do not smoke or use any open flames around batteries
Polk’s Top 10 RV Battery Tips
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Posted in Beginning RVer, RV Batteries, RV Electrical System, RV Maintenance, RV Safety, RV Tips & Hints | Tags: dead RV batteries, deep cycle battery cycling, deep cycle battery tips, RV battery charging, RV battery maintenance, RV battery tips
Whenever I discuss RV roof care and maintenance I like to start with the basics, washing the RV roof.
Caution: Safety first, whenever you are working on your RV roof exercise caution. A wet roof can be extremely slippery and a fall can result in serious injury or death.
I personally use Dicor’s Rubber Roof Cleaner, but regardless of the cleaner you choose never use products that contain petroleum distillates, citric ingredients or harsh abrasives on your RV roof. These chemicals will damage rubber roof membranes.
I like to start at the front of the RV roof and work towards the back of the RV. Start by rinsing the roof to remove any loose dirt or debris. Next, spray the roof cleaner on the roof surface. I use a medium bristle brush attached to a broom handle, but you can use a sponge or other cleaning cloth if you prefer.
I like to work in 3 X 3 foot sections at a time. Scrub the roof surface in a circular motion so the cleaner can really work into the roof’s surface. After a section is cleaned rinse it thoroughly with water.
Note: It’s a good idea to keep the sides of the RV wet so rinsing the cleaner from the roof’s surface does not leave any streaks or stains on the sides, front or rear of the RV.
It may be necessary to repeat the cleaning process on stubborn stains, or on a roof that has not been cared for properly.
That’s really all there is to cleaning your RV roof, and this simple preventive care and maintenance procedure can add years of life to your RV roof.
Watch the RV roof cleaning video here
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Happy RV Learning,
Mark Polk
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Posted in Beginning RVer, RV Maintenance, RV products, RV Safety, RV Tips & Hints | Tags: clean and protect your RV roof, how to clean your RV roof, RV roof care and maintenance, RV roof cleaning tips, RV rubber roof maintenance
It’s important you know what type of RV roof you have so you can properly clean and maintain the roof. For the most part there are two categories RV synthetic roofs fall into:
1) Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer or EPDM
2) Thermal Poly Olefin or TPO.
You may have heard various techniques for determining the type of rubber roof you have, but you need a sure-fire method, so there are no questions left unanswered.
You should be able to locate this information in the RV owner’s manual. If not, the easiest method I know is to go inside the RV and locate an overhead roof vent. Using the proper type screwdriver remove the vent trim ring. Most RV manufacturers will leave a section of the roofing material stapled to the inside of each side of the framed vent opening. If possible remove a staple so you can look at both sides of the roofing material. If one side is a white or a dove color and the other side is black it is EPDM. If the roofing material is all one color, top and bottom, it is TPO. Some TPO roofing has a fleece backing too, but the thing to remember is if the roofing material is all one color it is TPO.
If your RV roofing is EPDM, and you want to make repairs or touch-up the sealants you can use Dicor lap sealant.
If your RV roofing is TPO you need to do a bit more research prior to using any sealants. Beginning in 2011 new forms of TPO roofing entered the RV marketplace. Basically if the TPO roofing was manufactured in 2010 or earlier or if it has a fleece backing you can use Dicor lap sealant for repairs and resealing. If the TPO roofing was manufactured in 2011 or later, or if it does not have a fleece backing you need to use the Dicor Ultra Sealant System for resealing and repairs.
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Happy RV Learning,
Mark Polk
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Posted in Beginning RVer, General, RV Maintenance, RV products, RV Tips & Hints | Tags: EPDM RV roof, RV roof maintenance, RV roof sealing, RV roof types, RV rubber roofs, TPO RV roof
My favorite pastime is traveling the country in our RV. I enjoy visiting new and interesting places, and experiencing new adventures in the RV. I also enjoy keeping up with my favorite satellite programming during our RV road trips. There is nothing quite like settling in the RV at night and watching your favorite show or a good movie on TV. The last thing you want to do is ruin your evening trying to set-up the satellite antenna, or acquire a good signal.
What I want in our RV is a super simple portable RV satellite solution. After some research I discovered the Carryout G2+ automatic satellite antenna by Winegard.
Let’s start by looking at a few concerns you might encounter with RV travel and satellite TV reception:
Ease of Set-Up
If you’re like me you don’t want headaches and stress when it comes to setting up a satellite system in the RV.
Switches to change satellite provider
I found the Carryout G2+ set-up to be really easy. You make a few simple connections and before you know it you are watching your favorite TV program. The G2+ system is compatible with multiple satellite providers. We use Direct TV and that is the default setting on the power inserter, but it can easily be changed. Just follow the settings in the instructions to change the switches to a different provider.
Next you simply connect the supplied 25’ coax between the G2+ and the power inserter, connect the 3’ coax between the power inserter and your receiver, and connect an HDMI or coax from the receiver to the TV. After the connections are made power up the receiver, the TV and the power inserter and the automatic antenna will start searching for a signal. That’s all there is to it. It literally took less than 20 minutes to set the system up right out of the box.
Accessing the Satellite Signal
One thing I really like about the Carryout G2+ is that it’s portable.
It works great for RVs, and it can be used on other camping trips, for tailgating, backyard BBQs and more. The G2+ also offers several mounting options. Some options include temporary tripod and window mounts and there are more permanent roof, ladder and vehicle mounts. My primary goal was to use the G2+ on the RV so I opted to convert the portable Carryout G2+ into a permanent roof mount using the roof mount kit available from Winegard.
The G2+ features the latest technology in satellite acquisition. It is small, but powerful and it is fully automatic. What that means is after the connections are made the automatic antenna quickly goes to work locating the maximum signal strength. Keep in mind if there are trees, buildings or other obstacles in the path no satellite antenna will get a signal, but with a clear unobstructed view to the southern sky the G2+ quickly locks in on the strongest signal.
Viewing TV using more than one Receiver
For the past 8 years or so we used and enjoyed an older Winegard satellite antenna on our RV. It works great, but one disadvantage is you can only connect the antenna to one satellite receiver in the RV. This meant if someone was watching TV in the living room and someone else was watching TV in the bedroom both viewers had to watch the same channel. When we decided to upgrade the antenna one requirement was the new antenna needs to have the capability to connect to two receivers in the RV.
The Carryout G2+ solved this concern too. The antenna has two output connectors, one for the main receiver connection and another for a second receiver. You simply run a separate coax from the second antenna port to another receiver in the RV. Now you can view any program you want on both TVs as long as both programs are on the same satellite.
If a portable satellite antenna is the best choice for you, based on your needs, I highly recommend the Winegard Carryout G2+. It works great for someone on-the-go and as a temporary or permanently mounted antenna for your RV. The G2+ is compact in size, easy to connect, and easy to use. It really is a super simple portable satellite solution.
For more information on the Winegard Carryout G2+ and other satellite solutions visit www.winegard.com
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Happy RV Learning,
Mark Polk
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Posted in Beginning RVer, RV Campgrounds, RV Destinations, RV products, RV Tips & Hints, RV Types | Tags: portable RV satellite, RV satellite information, RV satellite installation, RV satellite system, RV satellite tips and tricks, Winegard Carryout G2+, Winegard satellites
There has always been confusion when it comes to the type of tires used on travel trailers and 5th wheel trailers, or any type trailer for that matter. I think lots of folks are somewhat familiar with what are referred to as P-rated (passenger) or LT-rated (Light Truck) tire designations because that is what we use on our automobiles, SUVs and trucks. When you purchase a travel trailer or 5th wheel trailer and the time comes to purchase new tires people are confronted with a new type of tire designation, ST-rated or “Special Trailer” tires.
Before we get into what “ST” tires are I want to talk briefly about some misinformation concerning ST trailer tires. ST tires get a bad rap in general for several reasons. In many cases the reason for tire failure on a trailer is due to overloading the tire, improper tire inflation, the age of a tire or constant exposure to the elements. I can’t tell you how many times I hear stories about tires that only have 10,000 miles and plenty of tread failing for no reason. What doesn’t get mentioned is the tires are 7 or 8 years-old, have cracks in the sidewalls, and are exposed to the sun and other elements every day. In other cases some folks fail to mention a tire was overloaded by 300 or 400 pounds and the tire failure occurred while towing the trailer at highway speeds in 90 degree temperatures. I am not saying this is always the case or reason for trailer tire failure, but it is in many situations.
With that said the designation ST stands for “Special Trailer” tire. ST tires are designed specifically for use on trailer axle positions only. They are not designed for steering axle positions or the traction requirements of a drive axle. ST tires have strengthened sidewalls to help prevent the tire from rolling under the rim in turns and when cornering. The majority of ST tires have a maximum speed rating of 65 mph. ST tires feature materials and construction designed to meet the higher load requirements and demands trailer towing places on a tire.
There has always been controversy surrounding whether to replace ST tires with a good quality LT tire. There are some LT tires I think would do the job on a trailer, but at the end of the day if ST tires are properly matched for the application, properly inflated, properly maintained and not overloaded they are the right tire for the job, in my opinion.
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Happy RV Learning,
Mark Polk
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Posted in Beginning RVer, RV Maintenance, RV Safety, RV Tips & Hints, RV Tires, Trailer Towing Topics | Tags: RV tires, special trailer tires, ST vs. LT tires, trailer ST tires, trailer tire tips, trailer towing tips, what does ST tire mean
When summer temperatures arrive you want to make sure your RV refrigerator can deal with the heat. Today I would like to offer some tips and tricks so the RV refrigerator can do its job more efficiently.
The initial cool down process can take four to six hours. I recommend turning the refrigerator on the day before you plan to leave on your trip. To maximize efficiency it’s best if the food you put in the refrigerator is already cold, and food you put in the freezer is already frozen. Do not over pack refrigerator. Air needs to circulate through the compartment for best results. In most situations you have access to a grocery store while camping, so a two to three day supply of food should be sufficient.
fan in RV refrigerator
A simple solution to assist with air circulation is to purchase an inexpensive, battery operated refrigerator fan. Install the batteries and place the fan in the front area of the refrigerator compartment blowing upwards. An inexpensive battery operated fan like this can improve the refrigerator’s efficiency as much as by 50%.
When you arrive at the campground the RV needs to be fairly level for the refrigerator to operate properly and for optimum performance.
Heat created by the cooling process is vented behind the refrigerator. Periodically inspect the back of the refrigerator and the roof vent for any obstructions like bird nests, leaves or other debris that might prevent heat from escaping. The outside temperature directly affects the operation and efficiency of your RV refrigerator too. When it’s hot out try parking your RV, with the side the refrigerator is on, in the shade.
Try to limit how often you open the refrigerator or freezer doors and the length of time you leave the doors open. Every time the door is opened it can lose a few degrees of cooling.
Last but not least I recommend keeping a small thermometer in the food compartment. Food can begin to spoil at temperatures above 40 degrees.
RV absorption refrigerators do a great job for RV owners. It will do an even better job, and last longer, if you apply these simple tips and tricks to maximize the refrigerator’s efficiency.
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Happy RV Learning,
Mark Polk
RV Education 101
http://rveducation101.com/
RV 101® Travel Trailer Ultimate Video & E-book Bundle
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/travel-trailer-ultimate-e-book-and-video-bundle
RV 101® 5th Wheel Ultimate Video & E-book Bundle
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RV 101® Motorhome Ultimate Video & E-book Bundle
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Travel Trailer & 5th Wheel Trailer RV Orientation Video Training Course
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Tow Your Travel Trailer Like a Pro Video Training Course
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Tow Your 5th Wheel Like a Pro Complete Online Video Training Course
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Motorhome RV Orientation Video Training Course
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Drive Your Motorhome Like A Pro Complete Online Video Training Course
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RV Care & Preventive Maintenance RV DIY® Online Video Training
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RV Essential Items Video Training Course
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Winterizing and Storing Your RV Video Training Course
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Travel Trailer 4 Video Bargain Set Plus Free RV Checklist ebook
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A Collection of RV Education 101 E-Books – 9 RV E-BOOK BUNDLE SET
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An Introduction to RVs E-book Training Course
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Insider’s Guide to Buying an RV E-Book Training Course
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Owning & Operating an RV E-Book Training Course
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The Original Checklists for RVers E-Book Training Course
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RV Campground Basics E-Book Training Course
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RV Care & Maintenance E-Book Training Course
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Winterizing & Storing Your RV E-Book Training Course
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RV Battery Care & Maintenance E-Book Training Course
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Trailer Towing Basics E-Book Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/trailer-towing-basics-e-book
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Posted in Beginning RVer, RV Campgrounds, RV Destinations, RV Maintenance, RV Tips & Hints | Tags: RV absorption refrigerator, RV refrigerator efficiency, RV refrigerator maintenance, RV refrigerator tips, RV refrigerator vent fan
Just in time for the hot weather! Watch this short “10 tips for hot weather RVing” RV how-to video to help you prepare the vehicle for the heat, and show you what you can do to keep the RV cool at the campground too.
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Posted in Beginning RVer, General, RV Batteries, RV Campgrounds, RV Destinations, RV Maintenance, RV Safety, RV Tips & Hints, Trailer Towing Topics | Tags: hot weather camping tips, hot weather RV maintenance tips, hot weather RVing, how to keep RV cool, RV 101 RV summer safety awareness program, RV air conditioner maintenance, RV hot weather tips, RV summer camping tips, RV summer safety
In this special edition of RV Consumer Magazine readers can take a trip through RV time at the RV/MH Hall of Fame Museum, and read an informative article on how to protect your RV water system. You can also test your RV knowledge by playing a crossword puzzle on RV fresh water systems.
To view the PDF version, click here.
To view the flipbook version, click here.
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Posted in Beginning RVer, Free RV Consumer E-Magazine, General, RV Campgrounds, RV Destinations, RV History, RV Maintenance, RV products, RV Safety, RV Tips & Hints, RV Training, RV trivia, RV Types | Tags: antique RVs, RV Hall of Fame Museum, RV history, RV museum, RV water filters, RV water filtration, RV water system
RV 101® by Mark Polk – In this RV how to video learn how to install and program the Tire Minder TM77 Tire Pressure Monitoring System on a motorhome.
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Posted in RV products, RV Safety, RV Tips & Hints, RV Tires | Tags: RV tires, Tire Minder, Tire Minder TM77, Tire pressure monitoring system
I get asked this question a lot. What are the pros and cons of covering your RV? My answer is always, the pros outweigh the cons 10 to 1. The only real cons I can think of is putting the cover on and taking it off.
I am extremely fortunate because we have a garage large enough to store our RV in when we aren’t using it. Prior to building the garage I always kept the RV covered when it sat idle for a couple months at a time. Mother Nature can wreak havoc on materials made of plastic, fiberglass, rubber and vinyl, which is basically the exterior of your RV.
The sun is the primary threat to an uncovered RV, but wind, rain and snow aren’t far behind when it comes to damaging the RV’s exterior. It doesn’t take long for ozone and ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun to damage an RV. Early signs are when the paint on the exterior begins to fade. Eventually you start to notice other products like rubber, vinyl and plastic drying out and cracking.
Another problem is black streaks on the sidewalls of the RV. When it rains dirt and debris from the RV roof runs down the sides of the RV leaving those notorious black streaks. If you ever tried to clean black streaks from the side of a RV, especially one with corrugated aluminum siding, you know how difficult it can be. If you don’t get the black streaks off of the surface in a timely manner, it gets embedded in the paint and is nearly impossible to remove.
Covering the RV may not prevent all of this, but it helps slow the aging process down. A good quality RV cover also helps protect the RV from possible water damage when it is in storage. Anywhere the RV manufacturer cut an opening in the RV has the potential to leak, especially if the sealants have not been inspected and resealed on a periodic basis. An RV exposed to the elements for months on end can have a water leak you are not aware of, resulting in thousands of dollars in damage the following spring.
This equates to recouping the cost of a good RV cover over one winter.
I mentioned “a good cover” a couple times, and this is important. You not only want a cover that properly fits the type and size of your RV, but you want it constructed from material that can withstand the elements. You also want a fabric that is breathable. This lets air circulate and keep surfaces dry which helps prevent mold and mildew. Never cover your RV with one of those blue plastic tarps. Tarps or covers similar to that promote mold and mildew, and keep moisture and water in rather than allowing it to evaporate and stay dry.
With a little preventive maintenance and a good quality RV cover you can keep your RV looking like new and in better condition for many years to come.
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Happy RV Learning,
Mark Polk
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Posted in Beginning RVer, RV Maintenance, RV products, RV Tips & Hints, RV Tires, RV Types | Tags: RV covers, RV exposure to the sun, RV storage covers, RV storage outside, RV storage tips, should I cover my RV