RV 101® / RV Education 101®

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Posted by: Mark Polk | 7:53 am

RV 101 – RV Battery Charging Basics

It’s important to keep in mind that what you take out of your batteries must be put back in. If it’s not done in a timely manner the battery sulfates and can be permanently damaged. You need a three stage charger that can provide a bulk charge, an absorption charge and finally a float charge. Ideally the goal is to initially provide a bulk charge of about 14.4 volts to return the battery to 90 percent of full charge within the first couple hours. At this point the voltage drops to about 13.6 volts for the remaining 10 percent to prevent any battery gassing and water loss. When the battery is fully charged the voltage drops again to a float or maintenance charge of 13.2 volts to keep the battery topped off.

There are RV converter chargers on the market that will do this.

If you purchase a multi-stage battery charger you need to know the charging current limitations of the battery being charged. When selecting a charger, the charge rate should be between 10 and 13% of the battery’s 20-hour AH capacity.

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Posted in Beginning RVer, General, RV Batteries, RV Electrical System, RV Maintenance, RV Tips & Hints | Tags: RV 101, RV 12 volt system, RV battery basics, RV battery charging, RV battery maintenance, RV battery storage, RV battery types, RV electrical system, RV help, RV how to, RV information, RV maintenance, RV Tips & Hints

Posted by: Mark Polk | 7:02 am

RV 101 – How to Touch Up RV Roof Sealants

In this informative RV how to video, presented by Dicor, Mark Polk with RV Education 101 demonstrates how to apply new lap sealant over your old RV roof sealant for touch up jobs. Understanding how to properly maintain your RV roof sealants can add years of trouble-free service to your RV roof.

Mark Polk

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Posted in Beginning RVer, General, RV Maintenance, RV products, RV Safety, RV Tips & Hints | Tags: applying roof sealant on RV, how to maintain RV roof seals, how to seal RV roof, RV how to videos, RV maintenance, RV products, RV roof maintenance, RV roof sealant, RV roof tips, RV Tips & Hints

Posted by: Mark Polk | 12:12 pm

RV 101 – How To Determine your RV Roof Type

It’s important that you know what type of synthetic material your RV roof is made of so you can properly clean and maintain it. In this RV how to video Mark Polk with RV Education 101 demonstrates two foolproof methods for determining the type of roof your RV has.

Happy RV Learning,

Mark Polk

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Posted by: Mark Polk | 9:04 am

RV Consumer Magazine September Issue

The September issue of RV Consumer E-Magazine was just released.

In this month’s issue of RV Consumer Magazine enjoy reading articles on topics like Trailer Sway, Inverters vs. Generators, Towing with 4-Wheels Down, Protecting your RV Electrical System and much more.

All of this great RV information is just a click away.

This RV magazine is a digital magazine, in a flip-book style format delivered online monthly by subscription. It is free of charge and your e-mail address will never be sold or used for anything other than delivering our RV e-newsletter and RV Consumer E-Magazine. For up to the minute RV news and information take a minute to subscribe and start receiving this information packed
e-publication right now.

If you are experiencing trouble with the CAPCHA code (prevents SPAM) while signing up for the newsletter please send an e-mail to Dawn with Newsletter sign-up in the subject line and we will get you signed up for the new magazine: dawn@rveducation101.com

Happy RV Learning,

Mark Polk

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Posted in Beginning RVer, Free RV Consumer E-Magazine, General, RV Campgrounds, RV Destinations, RV Electrical System, RV Maintenance, RV products, RV Safety, RV Tips & Hints, RV Types, Trailer Towing Topics | Tags: RV, RV 101, RV consumer magazine, RV destinations, RV help, RV how to, RV information, RV inverters, RV magazine, RV products, RV tips & hints, RV towing, RV travel, RV videos, towing 4 wheels down, trailer sway

Posted by: Mark Polk | 9:27 am

RV 101 – Trailer Sway Part 2 of 2

In my last post I discussed what trailer sway is, and I ended the article by listing some of the most important items associated with trailer sway. This week we want to discuss some methods to help control trailer sway based on the causes I listed that contribute to trailer sway.

If you missed my last post you can read it here: Trailer Sway Part 1 of 2

The most important items associated with trailer sways are:

a) underinflated tires
b) improper weight distribution
c) improper hitch adjustments
d) no sway control
e) air pressure from transfer trucks passing
f) long downhill (descent)
g) lateral wind
h) towing speed
i) inadequate towing vehicle
j) overload conditions
k) hitch to tow vehicle rear axle distance
l) poor trailer design
m) Mismatched tow vehicle & trailer
n) Not completing trailer/tow vehicle checklist

So, to help avoid trailer sway, we recommend the following remedies:

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Posted in Beginning RVer, General, RV Maintenance, RV Safety, RV Tips & Hints, Trailer Towing Topics | Tags: controlling trailer sway, proper hitch work, RV 101, RV how to, RV information, RV safety, RV Tips & Hints, RV trailer sway, safe trailer towing, trailer sway, trailer towing safety, trailer towing tips, what is trailer sway

Posted by: Mark Polk | 8:07 am

RV 101 – Trailer Sway Part 1 of 2

This is part 1 of 2.

I will publish part 2 in the next post

Trailer sway 1 –

Trailer sway, that side-to-side fishtail movement, (Figure 1) occurs when there is a force perpendicular to the tow vehicle and trailer trajectory, applied to the hitch ball. An important factor in controlling sway is the amount of tongue weight applied to the hitch ball, and how that weight is distributed to the tires on the tow vehicle. A general rule is trailer tongue weight should be 10 to 15% of the fully loaded trailer weight, for trailers weighing over 2,000 pounds. If the tongue weight (what generates friction to the tow vehicle rear tires) is properly distributed to the rear tires of the tow vehicle most lateral forces encountered will not be sufficient to start sway. If the lateral forces do overcome the tire friction trailer sway will start.

This would be a good time to include an analysis of tow vehicle and trailer traffic speed. As speed increases, tire traction decreases with a corresponding increase in the possibility of trailer sway. At 60 mph, and under wet road conditions, a weak lateral wind may start a lateral trailer displacement.

Posted in Beginning RVer, RV Maintenance, RV Safety, RV Tips & Hints, RV Training, Trailer Towing Topics | Tags: controlling trailer sway, proper hitch work, RV 101, RV how to, RV information, RV safety, RV Tips & Hints, RV trailer sway, safe trailer towing, trailer sway, trailer towing safety, trailer towing tips, what is trailer sway

Posted by: Mark Polk | 12:48 pm

RV 101 – RV Generator Tips & Hints

When I worked at a RV dealership, every spring our service department was booked with appointments for generators that either wouldn’t start, or if they did start they had that all too familiar surging sound. This was a result of letting the generator sit for periods of time without starting and exercising it.

Lack of use is one of the biggest problems with generators. In gasoline generators the fuel breaks down and gums up causing hard starting and surging problems. This can happen in as short a period of time as one month.

But running and exercising a generator is just one small aspect of owning and using a generator. Let’s start from the beginning. RV generators are what truly make your RV fully self-contained. What a feature, instant electricity at the push of a button. We take electricity for granted in our homes because we don’t have to do anything to get it, with the exception of paying our monthly electric bill. This is part of the problem with RV generators, we expect the electricity to be there when we need or want it just like in our house. The problem is this magical source of electricity requires a certain amount of care and maintenance from the owner.

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Posted by: Mark Polk | 2:53 pm

RV Consumer Magazine – August Issue

The August issue of RV Consumer Magazine was just released.

This issue of RV Consumer Magazine includes articles on Solar Panels 101, Handling RV Odors, Analog Vs. Digital TV and don’t miss Mark’s article reflecting back on his first real RV adventure.

All of this great RV information is just a click away.

This RV magazine is a digital magazine, in a flip-book style format,
delivered online monthly by subscription. It is free of charge and your e-mail address will never be sold or used for anything other than delivering our RV e-newsletter and RV Consumer E-Magazine. For up to the minute RV news and information take a minute to subscribe and start receiving this information packed
e-publication right now.

If you are experiencing trouble with the CAPCHA code (prevents SPAM) while signing up for the newsletter please send an e-mail to Dawn with Newsletter sign-up in the subject line and we will get you signed up for the new magazine: dawn@rveducation101.com

Happy RV Learning,

Mark Polk

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Posted in Beginning RVer, Free RV Consumer E-Magazine, General, RV Campgrounds, RV Destinations, RV Maintenance, RV products, RV Safety, RV Tips & Hints | Tags: RV, RV 101, RV consumer magazine, RV destinations, RV how to, RV information, RV odors, RV products, RV solar panels, RV tips & hints, RV travel, RV videos

Posted by: Mark Polk | 10:40 am

RV 101 – RV Sewer Hose Tips & Hints

Be prepared, don’t come up short at the campground. This is why you always need to take a sewer hose extension and extra sewer hose fittings and couplings on all your RV trips!

Mark Polk

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Posted in Beginning RVer, General, RV Campgrounds, RV Maintenance, RV products, RV Tips & Hints | Tags: RV 101, RV help, RV how to videos, RV information, RV sewer hose extension, RV sewer hose fittings, RV sewer hose tips & hints, RV wastewater management

Posted by: Mark Polk | 7:40 am

RV 101 – RV Water System Maintenance After the Trip

When you return from a trip and you’re not going to use the RV for a while you need to drain the entire water system to prevent it from getting stale and musty. You can start by draining the water heater. If the water heater has an electric mode make sure it is in the “off’” position before you drain the water heater tank. It’s a good idea to turn the breaker for the water heater off, so the switch doesn’t accidentally get turned on with no water in the tank. Now go to the outside compartment where the water heater is located. The drain plug, or petcock is normally located in the bottom left hand corner or bottom center. Remove the plug and open the pressure relief valve on top of the water heater to assist in draining. (See Caution below)

If you have a Suburban water heater you will need to remove the anode rod with a 1 -1/16 inch socket to drain the tank. The anode rod is designed to help prevent corrosion and protect the tanks steel lining. Corrosive elements in the water will attack the rod rather than the tank. Inspect the anode rod every time you remove it to drain the tank, and replace it when 3/4 of the rod is consumed. Atwood water tanks do not require an anode rod and use a nylon drain plug because the tank is made of aluminum.

Caution: Never drain the water heater when it is hot and/or under pressure. Turn off any water going to the RV, to include the water pump, and open a hot and cold faucet to relieve water pressure. Allow sufficient time for the water in the tank to cool before draining. Draining a tank that is hot and/or under pressure can result in serious injury.

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Posted by: Mark Polk | 10:42 am

RV 101 – Maxx Fan Features and Benefits Video

In this informative RV how-to video Mark Polk with RV Education 101 demonstrates the features and benefits a Maxx fan (with remote control) ventilator fan has to offer the RV consumer.

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Posted by: Mark Polk | 9:16 am

Yellowpages App Makes Summer RV Travel Easy

With summer RV travel in full-swing the new YP app got here just in time. As a kid I can remember loading up the station wagon and hitting the road each summer for our 1 week family vacation. Four kids a dog and a long road trip resulted in chaos. Getting lost, us kids asking if we are there yet and not knowing where the next gas station would get on my dad’s last nerve.

Thanks to technology those days are over. Combining your smartphone with the right apps makes all of your roadtrips much more enjoyable. The kids are having fun, the RV is topped off with the cheapest gas available and you’re headed in the right direction. It doesn’t get any better than that!

This is all possible with the new YP app. This app provides all the necessary tools to help plan, prepare and take your summer roadtrips.

Here are some of the features and benefits the YP app has to offer:

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Posted in Beginning RVer, General, RV Destinations, RV Tips & Hints | Tags: android travel app, iphone travel app, RV 101 tips, RV apps, RV summer travel tips, RV tips & hints, RV travel tips, RVing with Mark Polk, Yellowpages app

Posted by: Mark Polk | 8:20 am

RV 101: RV Driving Tips & Hints

Camping season is officially here and that means lots of folks will be driving RVs and towing trailers. MBA insurance, a leading RV rental insurance company informed us the five most common insurance claims for RVs.
Watch the video for some RV driving tips and hints to help you avoid becoming a statistic in these top 5 RV insurance claims.

1) Accidents at the Gas Pump

2) Right Turns Read More…

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Posted in Beginning RVer, General, RV Safety, RV Tips & Hints, RV Training, Trailer Towing Topics | Tags: avoid RV accidents, driving a motorhome, learn how to drive rv, MBA insurance, rv driving course, RV driving instruction, RV driving safety, RV driving tips, RV driving tips & hints, RV safety, RV towing tips, top RV insurance claims, towing a trailer

Posted by: Mark Polk | 6:54 am

National Tire Safety Week (Check it Out)

The eleventh annual National Tire Safety Week is June 2-9 2012. Sponsored by the Rubber Manufacturer’s Association, The Be Tire Smart – Play Your P.A.R.T. program is designed to help educate consumers about tire safety and maintenance. Please take a minute to visit the site, download the free Tire Safety Brochure and learn some valuable information on tire safety & maintenance. This information applies to your automobile and RV tires.

P.A.R.T. represents the four primary areas of tire safety and maintenance. It’s an easy way to remember Pressure, Alignment, Rotation and Tread.

The following is is an excerpt from the RMA Tire Safety Brochure

PRESSURE
Underinflation can lead to tire failure. It results in unnecessary tire stress, irregular wear, loss of control and accidents. A tire can lose up to half of its air pressure and not appear to be flat!

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Posted in Beginning RVer, General, RV Maintenance, RV Safety, RV Tips & Hints, RV Training | Tags: National Tire Safety Week, RV 101, RV tips & hints, RV tire safety & maintenance, RV tire videos, RV tires, tire safety, tire safety brochure

Posted by: Mark Polk | 12:26 pm

RV Consumer E-Magazine June Isuue Released

The June issue of RV Consumer E-Magazine was just released by RV Education 101.

The theme for the June issue of RV Consumer E-Magazine is RV summer camping. RV articles in this issue address RV topics related to hot weather preventive maintenance and how-to prep your RV for summer camping. This issue also includes an article on boondocking in your RV, aftermarket RV products, RV tips & hints, an interview with RV Lifestyle expert Bob Difley and much more. All of this great RV information is just a click away.

If you haven’t heard of this new RV magazine it is a digital magazine, in a flip-book style format, delivered online monthly by subscription. It is free of charge and your e-mail address will never be sold or used for anything other than delivering our RV e-newsletter and RV Consumer E-Magazine. For up to the minute RV news and information take a minute to subscribe and start receiving this information packed e-publication right now.

If you are experience trouble with the CAPCHA code (prevents SPAM) while signing up for the newsletter please send an e-mail to Dawn with Newsletter sign-up in the subject line and we will get you signed up for the new magazine: dawn@rveducation101.com

Happy RV Learning,

Mark Polk

http://goforthervgold.com/

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Posted by: Mark Polk | 9:46 am

RV 101 – Tips to Keep your RV Cool this Summer

Summer will soon be here and for RVers that means prime camping season is upon us, but so are the dog days of summer. If you ever walked inside an RV that is sitting in the direct sunlight on a hot summer day you know what I’m talking about. Having fun in the sun is great, but when it gets too hot you want your RV to be ready to deal with the heat. Fortunately there are a few things we can do to make our summer RV camping trips more pleasurable.

1) Strategically park your RV to take advantage of any shade that is available, especially on the side where the refrigerator vent is located. Don’t be afraid to ask for a shady site when you check-in at the campground. This will not only help cool the RV down, but your refrigerator and roof A/C will work much more efficiently.

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Posted by: Mark Polk | 9:12 am

RV 101 – Safe RV Driving & Towing Tips

After numerous requests we decided to produce a motorhome driving DVD and a 5^th wheel towing DVD. I enlisted the help from professional driver and book author Lorrin Walsh. I always thought I was a good driver, but even old dogs can learn new tricks. Here are my top 7 tips to help improve your RV driving and towing skills.

1). Know where your pivot point is and what it means. This applies to motorhomes and trailers. The pivot point is defined as the fixed point on a vehicle at which the vehicle rotates around in a turn. On a two axle vehicle it is the center of the rear axle. This means that if an object, for example a tree, is located at the center of the rear axle or behind, you can turn toward the object and not hit it. If the object is ahead of the pivot point and you turn toward it, you will hit it. For a tandem axle trailer the pivot point is in the center between the two axles.

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Posted in Beginning RVer, General, RV Safety, RV Tips & Hints, RV Types, Trailer Towing Topics | Tags: improve your RV driving skills, RV 101, RV driver training, RV driving instruction, RV driving skills, RV driving tips, RV Tips & Hints, RV towing instruction, RV towing tips

Posted by: Mark Polk | 9:03 am

RV 101 – Top 7 RV Tire Tips for Safer RV Trips

It seems as though I talk about tire safety all of the time. The reason I do is because tires are an important safety topic concerning RVs, and are often times overlooked. Just recently I read a newspaper article that summed up just how overlooked tires are in general. The article stated, “The Rubber Manufacturers Association found that 29 million drivers believe that tires require no regular maintenance.” Oh boy!

Let’s take a look at my top 7 RV tire tips for safer RV trips.

1). Two of the biggest problems with RVs today are overloading the RV and under inflated tires. With multiple slide-out rooms, large holding tank capacities and the ample amount of storage space available on today’s RVs it’s easy to see why so many are overloaded. We have a natural tendency to fill every nook and cranny of available storage space on our RV.

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Posted in Beginning RVer, General, RV Destinations, RV Maintenance, RV Safety, RV Tips & Hints, RV Types, Trailer Towing Topics | Tags: RV 101, RV Education 101 RV Summer Safety campaign, RV Tips & Hints, RV tire gauge, RV tire inflation, RV tire information, RV tire inspection, RV tire safety, RV tire tips

Posted by: Mark Polk | 8:41 am

RV 101 – Top 7 Safe RV Travel Tips

About this time of year lots of folks start organizing their summer RV travel plans. Fulltime RVers are planning thier travel routes, families are planning their RV summer vacations and RVers everywhere are planning their weekend RV excursions.

Traffic on our highways increases dramatically during peak vacation season and before, during and after major holidays like the 4th of July. I thought this would be a good time to discuss some safe RV travel tips so you arrive at your summer RV travel destination safely. Getting there can be half the fun, as the saying goes, if you take a few precautions to make your RV trip safe.

Here are my top 7 safe RV travel tips:

1). The first step is to plan the trip you are taking. Travel guides, magazines, state tourism boards and Internet sites offer valuable information to help you plan your RV trip. Route your trip on a map or from an Internet trip planning site. Always keep an atlas or maps in the RV as well. Driving or towing an RV can be stressful, especially if you don’t know the route you will be traveling. Using a Global Positioning System (GPS) can make traveling much less stressful.

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Posted in Beginning RVer, General, RV Campgrounds, RV Destinations, RV Safety, RV Tips & Hints, RV Types, Trailer Towing Topics | Tags: RV 101, RV destinations, RV Education 101 RV Summer Safety campaign, RV safety, RV summer safety tips, RV tips & hints, RV travel safety tips, RV travel tips, RV trip planning

Posted by: Mark Polk | 7:55 am

RV 101 – Do you have an RV Emergency Escape Plan?

When we plan a trip in our RV we tend to think about all of the good aspects of the upcoming adventure. Where we are going, what we’ll do when we get there, and all of the things we will see and experience along the way. What we don’t really think about is what if something happens during the trip and everybody needs to exit the RV in a hurry. What if there is a fire? What if the entry door is blocked and you can’t get out. What’s the plan? Is there a plan?

I don’t want to scare or worry anybody. My intent is to bring awareness to the possibility that something like this could happen, so you can discuss it and be prepared in the event of an emergency. It’s just one of those things lots of folks don’t think about, an RV emergency escape plan.

For starters, the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) requires that RV’s have emergency escape windows. Make sure that everybody traveling with you in the RV knows where the emergency escape window is located and how to use it. It’s a good idea to practice using it so you are familiar with how to get out of the RV in case of an emergency. Consider elderly persons and small children. Can they exit the emergency window without assistance, and if not what is the plan?

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Posted in Beginning RVer, General, RV Campgrounds, RV Destinations, RV Safety, RV Tips & Hints, RV Types | Tags: RV 101, RV consumer safety, RV Education 101 RV Summer Safety campaign, RV emergency escape plan, RV emergency exit, RV escape plan, RV safety, RV safety tips, RV Tips & Hints

Posted by: Mark Polk | 7:35 am

RV 101 – Carbon Monoxide Safety & Awareness

Each year, when prime camping season is upon us I like to remind folks about the dangers of carbon monoxide gas. Carbon monoxide (CO) gas is invisible, odorless, and deadly! It is produced by the partial combustion of solid, liquid and gaseous fuels. This includes gasoline, propane, natural gas, oil, wood, & coal.

It is extremely serious when combustion by-products are not vented outside, or when you are exposed to any source of CO gas. Carbon Monoxide is the number one cause of poisoning deaths each year. Carbon monoxide poisoning is toxic and can be deadly to both humans and animals. CO poisoning occurs after enough carbon monoxide gas is inhaled. The severity of the CO poisoning depends on the level of CO gas you are exposed to and the duration of the exposure. The good news is the threat of CO poisoning can be lessened through awareness and education. Let’s take a look at what we can do to prevent the danger of carbon monoxide poisoning.

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Posted in Beginning RVer, General, RV Safety, RV Tips & Hints, RV Training | Tags: carbon monoxide safety, carbon monoxide symptoms, CO prevention, generator safety, RV 101, RV carbon monoxide safety tips, RV CO safety, RV generator safety, RV safety, RV Tips & Hints

Posted by: Mark Polk | 2:16 pm

RV 101 – What’s your RV Emergency Weather Plan?

I love the freedom of the open road. There is nothing like exploring the back roads in your RV. You can go where you want and when you want in your house on wheels, and because of this often times you find yourself at a new destination everyday. Something many RVers do not take into consideration with this freedom to roam is the weather conditions where you are traveling, or spending the night. RV’s are great, but they are not safe in severe weather, like lightning and thunderstorms with high winds, tornadoes and hurricanes.

When you’re at home you usually know what the weather forecast is by reading the newspaper, listening to the radio or watching television. When you travel hundreds of miles a day in your RV weather conditions can change several times. Many times when you stop for the night all you want to do is get some rest. The weather is the last thing on your mind. The problem with this is severe weather can occur without much warning, and if you are caught in it, it can be disastrous.

So, what do we do, what’s the plan? Plan is the key word here. RVers need to have an emergency weather plan in case of a severe storm. For starters, have you ever heard of the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio or NWR? The NOAA Weather Radio is a nationwide network of radio stations that broadcast continuous weather information directly from a nearby National Weather Service Office.

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Posted in Beginning RVer, General, RV Campgrounds, RV Destinations, RV Safety, RV Tips & Hints | Tags: RV 101, RV emergency supply kit, RV emergency weather planning, RV in bad weather, RV weather radio

Posted by: Mark Polk | 2:14 pm

RV 101 – 7 Step Process to a Wise RV Buying Decision

Buying an RV is a major purchase decision. We don’t take the decision to buy a house lightly, and buying an RV is no different. You need to do your research and be well informed to make the best buying decision possible. Let’s take a look at my 7 step process to a wise RV buying decision.

Step 1: Try before you buy

This is perhaps the most important step of the process. It can be difficult to determine if an RV is right for you if you have never used one. Plan a weekend or week-long trip and rent an RV to try it before you buy. Renting an RV can be a good indicator to gauge if an RV is in your future. Another option is to spend a weekend at a campground that rents RV’s already set up on site. My only caution is that you don’t confuse not liking RV’s with not understanding how an RV works. If the rental dealer doesn’t give you a thorough orientation of the RV, or offer an instructional DVD you should consider purchasing a RV training DVD prior to renting the RV. Knowing how everything on the RV works can make the experience much more enjoyable.

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Posted by: Mark Polk | 7:07 am

RV 101- Should I Upgrade the Brake Pads on my Tow Vehicle?

Question:
I am ready to replace the brakes on my 2500HD crew cab. I have recently read some articles about high performance disc brake pads. Do you have an opinion on the value of the added stopping power? I am normally pulling a Keystone Cougar fifth wheel. The cost of these pads are significantly higher than the OEM brake pads, just wondering if you think they are worth it? If you do, are there any brands you are impressed with?

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Posted in Beginning RVer, General, RV Maintenance, RV Safety, RV Tips & Hints, Trailer Towing Topics | Tags: high performance brake pads, replacing tow vehicle brakes, RV safety, RV tips and hints, RV tow vehicle brake pads, RV towing safety, Tow vehicle brakes, towing 101, towing safety

Posted by: Mark Polk | 7:54 am

RV 101 – Online RV Training

RV Education 101 is the largest online RV training provider on the web.

Mark Polk, founder of RV Ed 101 stated, “RV E-Learning is the way of the future. It’s convenient and cost effective. It’s RV information where you want it, when you want it! It’s as easy as…”

Let Mark walk you through a comprehensive selection of online training programs offered by RV Education 101 that will simplify your personal RV training needs.

Go For The RV Gold

self-paced RV training
Over 45 RV videos, 50 RV articles & more…
No driving, no crowded classrooms, no time restraints

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Posted in Beginning RVer, General, Mark's RV Garage Series, RV Electrical System, RV Maintenance, RV Safety, RV Tips & Hints, RV Training | Tags: how to drive a motorhome, how to use an RV, online RV training programs, RV 101 training, RV DVD, RV how to training, RV how to video, RV online training, RV training, RV videos

Posted by: Mark Polk | 7:07 am

RV 101 – RV Deep Cycle Battery Tips & Hints

It’s very important that you use the right battery for the type of application. Starting batteries and marine batteries should not be used for auxiliary (coach) battery applications. The battery used to start and run the engine is usually referred to as a chassis battery or starting battery. Vehicle starters require large starting currents for short periods of time. Starting batteries have a large number of thin plates to maximize the plate area exposed to the electrolyte. This is what provides the large amount of current in short bursts. Starting batteries are rated in Cold Cranking Amps or CCA. CCA is the number of amps the battery can deliver at 0 degrees F for 30 seconds and not drop below 7.2 volts. Starting batteries should not be used for deep cycle applications.

The batteries used to supply 12-volts to the RV itself are commonly referred to as the house or coach batteries. House batteries need to be true deep cycle batteries designed to provide a steady amount of current over a long period of time. True deep cycle batteries have much thicker plates than a starting battery, and are designed to be deeply discharged and recharged (cycled) over and over again.

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Posted in Beginning RVer, General, RV Batteries, RV Electrical System, RV Maintenance, RV Tips & Hints | Tags: deep cycle battery amp hours, RV 101, RV batteries, RV battery tips, RV battery tips and hints, RV consumer information, RV deep cycle battery information, RV deep cycle battery maintenance, RV Education 101

Posted by: Mark Polk | 9:37 am

RV Consumer E-magazine May Issue Released

The May issue of RV Consumer E-Magazine was just released by RV Education 101. The May issue of the e-magazine addresses RV topics and RV information about how RV values are determined, selecting the right inverter and concerns about tow ratings. This issue also includes aftermarket RV products, an interview with RV Travel’s Chuck Woodbury and much more. All of this great RV information is just a click away.

If you haven’t heard of this new RV magazine it is a digital magazine, in a flip-book style format, delivered online by subscription. It is free of charge and your e-mail address will never be sold or used for anything other than delivering our RV e-newsletter and RV Consumer e-Magazine. For up to the minute RV news and information take a minute to subscribe and start receiving this information packed e-publication right now.

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Posted in Beginning RVer, Free RV Consumer E-Magazine, General, RV Campgrounds, RV Destinations, RV Maintenance, RV Safety, RV Tips & Hints, RV Types, Trailer Towing Topics | Tags: RV advice, RV consumer, RV consumer magazine, RV destinations, RV e-newsletter, RV how-to information, RV information, RV products, RV reviews, RV tips and hints, RV videos

Posted by: Mark Polk | 7:14 am

Q&A with Mark Polk: Motorhome Maintenance Cost Comparison

Question: I want to upgrade to a slightly bigger RV. I have looked at two equally good choices, but I have to evaluate the maintenance costs between a C- Class motorhome and an A-Class motorhome? Are there significant differences in maintenance & upkeep costs? I am searching for good unit that allows me to use it at a reasonable operating cost.

How much difference in maintenance and normal repairs will there be? Any help you can provide will help me make a wise buying decision. Thanks in advance.

2 Comments

Posted in Beginning RVer, General, RV Maintenance, RV Tips & Hints, RV Types | Tags: chassis maintenance, Class A motorhome, Class C cutaway RV chassis, Class C motorhome, F53 Ford RV chassis, motorhome chassis, motorhome maintenance comparison, RV chassis, RV cost comparison, RV how to, RV maintenance

Posted by: Mark Polk | 7:23 am

Check your RV Safety Stuff

Every RVer should know what safety devices are available on their RV, and understand how to use them. Most RVs regardless of what type or what size it is will come equipped with several different safety devices. RVs come with fire extinguishers, LP gas leak detectors, smoke alarms, emergency escape windows, and in many cases carbon monoxide detectors.

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Posted in Beginning RVer, General, RV Maintenance, RV Safety, RV Tips & Hints | Tags: RV safety, RV safety checks, RV safety devices, RV safety features, RV safety refresher, RV safety tips and hints

Posted by: Mark Polk | 7:10 am

Why Wal-Mart Stores Turn RVs Away

I am sure you have heard the expression “one bad apple spoils the barrel” at one time or another. When we travel in our RV and just want a few hours rest we usually stop and stay at a Wal-Mart along the way. Whenever we do this there is an unwritten protocol we follow to ensure that staying in a Wal-Mart parking lot remains an option for RVers in the future.

1) Always ask for permission to stay.

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Posted in Beginning RVer, General, RV Destinations, RV Tips & Hints | Tags: RV advice, RV friendly Wal-Marts, RV overnight parking, RV parking at WalMart, RV tips & hints, RVs and WalMart

Posted by: Mark Polk | 7:33 am

Top Five MBA RV Rental Insurance Claims

Lots of folks are accustomed to driving small to mid-size automobiles and SUVs. Driving a motorhome, especially for the first time can be intimidating. The truth is with power steering, automatic transmissions and great visibility almost any experienced driver can quickly adapt to driving a motorhome, but there are some new dynamics and techniques you must take into consideration.

Leading RV rental insurance provider MBA Insurance lists the top 5 RV rental insurance claims for RVs as:

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Posted in Beginning RVer, General, RV Campgrounds, RV Destinations, RV Tips & Hints | Tags: how to drive a RV, MBA RV insurance, RV driving tips, RV driving videos, rv towing videos, top RV insurance claims

Posted by: Mark Polk | 7:53 am

RV Consumer E-Magazine April Issue

We just released the April issue of RV Consumer E-Magazine. This month’s theme is “It’s time to go camping.″ In this issue I cover some last minute preparations so your first RV camping trip of the season goes off without a hitch. This issue also includes aftermarket RV products, an interview with RV lifestyle expert Jaimie Hall Bruzenak, RV packing tips, how to save money on camping and much more. All of this great RV information is just a click away.

If you haven’t heard of our new RV magazine it is a digital magazine in a flip-book style format, delivered online by subscription. It is free of charge and your e-mail address will never be sold or used for anything other than delivering our RV e-newsletter and RV Consumer e-Magazine.

For up to the minute RV news and information take a minute to subscribe and start receiving this information packed e-publication right now. RV Consumer e-Magazine is loaded with useful RV information on RV products, RV how-to topics, RV reviews, RV destinations, RV videos and other general RV information. Our goal is to be your premier provider for RV information and assistance through various RV educational outlets.

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Posted in Beginning RVer, General, RV Campgrounds, RV Destinations, RV Maintenance, RV Tips & Hints, RV trivia, RV Types | Tags: RV 101, RV consumer magazine, RV destinations, RV Education 101, RV how-to topics, RV information, RV product reviews, RV products, RV reviews, RV videos

Posted by: Mark Polk | 7:47 am

RV 101 – Five RV Awning Quick Tips

Awnings are a great accessory to have on your RV. A patio awning extends 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 enjoy the great outdoors.

Here are 5 RV awning quick tips to help protect and extend the life of your RV awnings:

1) Never leave your RV awning out for any period of time when you are away from the campsite. A quick wind storm or thunder storm can result in expensive repair costs to the awning and the RV. If the wind begins to pick up at the campground put your awning in the stored position. Better safe than sorry.

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Posted in Beginning RVer, General, RV Campgrounds, RV Maintenance, RV Tips & Hints, Uncategorized | Tags: how to maintain an RV awning, RV awning care, RV awning tie downs, RV awning tips, RV awning tips & hints

Posted by: Mark Polk | 8:34 am

RV 101 – Tips for Improving RV Fuel Economy

If I told you there were 7 easy steps you could take to improve fuel economy in your RV and automobiles would you do it? Of course you would! So here they are:

1) Check and replace your air filter if it’s dirty. A clean air filter can improve your fuel economy up to 10%.

2) Check and adjust your tire pressure to the proper pressure for the load. This alone can increase fuel economy by 3%, not to mention preventing premature tire wear and failures caused by over or under-inflated tires. Tires can look normal when they are seriously under-inflated. Use a quality air pressure gauge and check your tires when they are cold, before traveling more than one mile.

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Posted in Beginning RVer, General, RV Maintenance, RV Tips & Hints, Trailer Towing Topics | Tags: fuel economy tips, how to improve fuel economy, RV fuel economy, RV gas saving tips, RV gas saving tips & hints, RV tips & hints

Posted by: Mark Polk | 10:43 am

Caution – Why Truck Tow Ratings don’t Add Up

I have always been an advocate for RV consumer safety issues. My goal with this article is to bring awareness and help educate the consumer on how to interpret and research vehicle towing capacities published by manufacturers.

Truck manufacturers are notorious for publishing tow ratings that sometimes seem too good to be true. It’s because, in what I refer to as the “towing wars”, each manufacturer wants to come out on top to boast that they have the “best-in-class” tow ratings. The big question is can these inflated ratings put the RV consumer in jeopardy when they attempt to tow the amount of weight a manufacturer says the vehicle can tow? Several years ago I took issue with a Ford commercial I saw on TV when Ford made the claim its F-150 could safely tow 11,000 pounds. You can go here to read how that unfolded. I also posted an update to the article here.

Posted in Beginning RVer, General, RV Tips & Hints, Trailer Towing Topics | Tags: 5th wheel hitch weight, 5th wheel tow ratings, 5th wheel towing, Ford tow ratings, Ford truck tow ratings, how to determine tow rating, how to safely tow a 5th wheel, safe RV towing, safe trailer towing, tow rating guide, tow vehicle ratings, towing guides, truck tow capacities

Posted by: Mark Polk | 8:24 am

How do I Reseal my RV Roof Seams & Sealants?

Question: I am taking my RV out of storage and plan to inspect the seams and sealants on the RV roof for any damage. Can you tell me what products and methods work best for re-caulking your RV roof and how often the maintenance should be done?

Answer: That’s a great question and quite often I see advice on this topic that is completely wrong. Let me begin by saying that it is important that you use sealants compatible with the material your RV roof and other products you are sealing are constructed out of.

If you have the RV owner’s manual it will usually specify intervals that you should inspect and perform routine roof maintenance on your RV. This is extremely important because in many cases the RV warranty can be voided if these inspection and maintenance intervals aren’t followed.

I personally use Dicor Lap sealants to reseal and maintain RV roofs. These are the same sealants used in the RV industry by many Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), and they are a popular choice for aftermarket use. But it’s important that you use the right sealant for your type of RV roof. Dicor EPDM lap sealant is specially formulated for EPDM roofing and it works on galvanized metal, aluminum and fiberglass roofs. The Dicor Ultra Sealant System is specially formulated for RV TPO roofing.

Posted in Beginning RVer, General, RV Maintenance, RV products, RV Tips & Hints | Tags: how to maintain your RV roof, how to recaulk RV roof, how to reseal RV roof, repair RV roof, RV roof inspections, RV roof maintenance, RV roof sealant

Posted by: Mark Polk | 6:26 am

Who are the Tin Can Tourists?

Have you ever heard of the tin can tourists? The Tin Can Tourists is an organization committed to the celebration of all make and model classic trailers and motor coaches. It’s goal is to promote and preserve vintage trailers and motor coaches through annual gatherings of owners and friends.

The Tin Can Tourists were organized at Desoto Park, Tampa, Florida, in 1919. They received the official state charter a year later. The original recognition emblem of the T.C.T was a tin can soldered to the radiator cap of a member’s car. The groups stated objective was “to unite fraternally all autocampers”. Their guiding principles were clean camps, friendliness among campers, decent behavior and to secure plenty of clean, wholesome entertainment for those in camp.

Posted in Beginning RVer, General, RV History, RV trivia | Tags: RV clubs, RV history, RV organizations, RV rally, RV trivia, Tin Can Tourists, vintage RV, Vintage trailer, vintge motorcoach

Posted by: Mark Polk | 8:32 am

RV 101 – I Need New Tow Vehicle Tires!

Question: We are shopping for new tires for our tow vehicle we pull our camper with. We are not concerned about mileage ratings since we don’t put that many miles on our tow vehicle. I want to make sure we purchase the right tires though. Is there a particular brand of tire you would recommend? The tire size is P265/70R16 and I definitely want to stick with the same tire size that came on the vehicle when it was new.

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Posted in General, RV Maintenance, RV Tips & Hints, Trailer Towing Topics | Tags: how to buy tires for a tow vehicle, Light Truck tires, RV tires, selecting tow vehicle tires, tire brands, tire load ratings, tow vehicle tires

Posted by: Mark Polk | 7:47 am

RV 101 – RV Storage Question

Question:
Is it ok to leave my RV plugged in when we are not using it? This could be for several months at a time, and should I start the engine every week or so?

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Posted in Beginning RVer, General, RV Electrical System, RV Tips & Hints | Tags: RV batteries, RV battery charging, RV battery storage, RV generator exercise, RV generator service, RV generator storage

Posted by: Mark Polk | 12:26 pm

Rising Gas Prices vs. RV Trips

It seems like whoever is behind rising gas prices is at it again, just in time for this year’s camping season. Nobody is willing to accept the blame for rising fuel prices, but they all line their pockets with the profits. Inevitebly fuel prises always go up when it’s time for average folks to take a break from their work and attempt to enjoy a vacation.

3 Comments

Posted in Beginning RVer, General, RV Destinations, RV Tips & Hints, Trailer Towing Topics | Tags: gas prices, gas prices versus RV travel, gas vs RV trips, high gas prices, how will gas prices affect travel plans, RV travel season

Posted by: Mark Polk | 12:26 pm

My RV Electrical Outlets don’t Work!

Have you ever plugged something in to an electrical outlet in your RV and it didn’t work. Nine out of ten times the reason is the Ground Fault Interrupter Circuit (GFCI) tripped and needs to be re-set. This short RV how-to video with Mark Polk of RV Education 101 demonstrates what to do when electrical outlets are not working in your RV.

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Posted in Beginning RVer, General, RV Electrical System, RV Tips & Hints | Tags: how to reset RV GFCI outlet, RV electrical system, RV electrical tip, RV GFCI, RV outlets don't work, RV Tips & Hints

Posted by: Mark Polk | 4:28 pm

RV Consumer E-Magazine March Issue Released

RV Consumer e-Magazine by RV Education 101

The March issue of RV Consumer e-Magazine was just released by RV Education 101. In this issue the theme is “Getting Ready to Roll in 2012” Mark Polk with RV Education tells you every thing you need to do to get your RV ready for another great camping seaon. All of this RV information and more is just a click away.

If you haven’t heard of this new RV magazine it is a digital magazine, in a flip-book style format, delivered online by subscription. It is free of charge and your e-mail address will never be sold or used for anything other than delivering our RV e-newsletter and RV Consumer e-Magazine.

For up to the minute RV news and information take a minute to subscribe and start receiving this information packed e-publication right now. RV Consumer e-Magazine is loaded with useful RV information on RV products, RV how-to topics, RV reviews, RV destinations, RV videos and other general RV information. Our goal is to be your premier provider for RV information and assistance through various RV educational outlets.

If you are experience trouble with the CAPCHA code (prevents SPAM) while signing up for the newsletter please send an e-mail to Dawn with Newsletter sign-up in the subject line and we will get you signed up for the new magazine: dawn@rveducation101.com

NEW SITE RV101.TV

Take a minute to visit our brand new RV101.TV site. At this new site we have posted over 50 free RV how-to videos to help educated RV owmers on how to properly and safely use their RV. Take a minute to visit RV101.TV and click on a video category you are interested in learning more about.

Happy RV Learning,

Mark Polk

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Posted in Beginning RVer, Free RV Consumer E-Magazine, General, RV Campgrounds, RV Maintenance, RV Tips & Hints, RV Types | Tags: RV camping, RV consumer, RV destinations, RV how to, RV magazine, RV products, RV videos

Posted by: Mark Polk | 12:19 pm

I Need an Inverter for my RV!

There are a few things to consider when talkling about inverters. Inverters are rated in watts and come in a variety of sizes and power ranges from 75 watts to 3000 watts.

When you purchase an inverter the output capacity must be capable of operating the loads that will be placed on it. Inverters have two different capacity ratings, the continuous output rating and surge capacity rating. Continuous output is the maximum wattage the inverter can output for a long time period. Surge capacity is the maximum wattage the inverter can output during initial start up. All appliances require more power when they initially start, compared to what they use when they are running. They can use as much as two or three times the amount to start that they use to run, so the starting power required for any appliance that you plan to use with the inverter must be within the surge capacity rating.

The difference in inverters is primarily what type of AC power the inverter produces. There are modified sine wave inverters and true or pure sine wave inverters. Modified sine wave inverters are less expensive and will power most types of appliances. The down side to modified sine wave inverters is that some electronic equipment will not run on this waveform and because it’s not true or pure sine wave you may get some electrical noise or a snowy picture on your TV screen.

True or pure sine wave inverters are more expensive, but they are capable of producing power as good as a power company and all appliances and electronic equipment will run the way they are intended to. Microwaves, motors and other inductive loads will run quieter and will not overheat and electrical noise will be reduced. If you plan to use a computer or other sensitive electronic equipment you may want to consider a true sine wave inverter.

Mark Polk

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Posted in Beginning RVer, RV Electrical System, RV Tips & Hints | Tags: how to buy inverter for RV, RV electrical system, RV inverter tips, RV inverters, types of inverters, what size inverter for RV

Posted by: Mark Polk | 12:31 pm

Tips for RV Batteries in Storage

In this RV 101® how-to video Mark discusses some RV tips and hints to keep your stored RV batteries in tip top shape for this year’s camping season.

Enjoy the video.

RV Education 101

Your One Stop Vetted RV Education Source

RV Online Video Training For ALL Computers and Devices

Mark Polk

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Posted in General, RV Electrical System, RV Maintenance, RV Tips & Hints | Tags: RV battery charging, RV battery information, RV battery maintenance, RV battery storage, RV battery tips, RV battery video, RV how to video

Posted by: Mark Polk | 12:30 pm

How did RVing Start in America?

Photo courtesy of Tin Can Tourists with permission

How did RVing get started in America?

I personally think it can be attributed to when the American automobile industry embraced assembly line production. By the end of 1913 the time to assemble a Model T chassis was cut from 12.5 hours to only 2.7 hours. By 1916 the price dropped to $360 making the Model T affordable to the average working middle class family.

Autocamping quickly spread across America. People could travel with cooking and camping equipment in their vehicle and avoid riding on trains and staying in overcrowded hotels. This was the great appeal of autocamping which lead to the craze that we know of as RVing today.

What are your thoughts?

Happy Camping,

Mark Polk

RV Education 101
http://rveducation101.com/

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Posted in Beginning RVer, General, RV Campgrounds, RV History, RV Tips & Hints, RV trivia, RV Types | Tags: autocamping, model T, RV, RV hints, RV history, RV trivia, RVs in America, Tin Can Tourists

Posted by: Mark Polk | 12:51 pm

RV 101 – 5 RV Quick Tips

1) Wiper Blade Maintenance
Check the condition of your windshield wiper blades before you leave on a trip. This is one of those things we don’t think about until the next time we need them. Periodically clean the wiper blades with windshield washer fluid.

2) Maximize AC Efficiency
You can improve your A/C’s efficiency by keeping the A/C filters clean. Wash, rinse & dry the filters or clean using a hand-held vacuum. Keep spare filters on hand just in case.

3) Keep Food Fresh
Always keep a small thermometer in your RV refrigerator so you can monitor the temperature. Food can begin to go bad at about 40 degrees.

4) RV Tire Know-How
The load rating for a tire is only accurate if it is properly inflated. Under inflated tires cause extreme heat that leads to tire failure

5) Quick Water Leak Test
A quick and easy way to test your RV plumbing system for leaks is to turn the 12-volt water pump on when there is water in the fresh water tank. After the water pump pressurizes the system & shuts off it should not come back on until you open a faucet. If it does there is a leak.

Happy Camping,

Mark Polk