RV University This Week 10/25/2010
- Monday, October 25 2010 @ 02:39 pm UTC
- Contributed by: RVED101
RV University this Week
Your weekly source for interesting
RV articles, tips, tricks, video clips and advice
RV Education 101
U of RV Journal #79 - October 25, 2010
"
You learn more quickly under the guidance of experienced teachers. You waste a lot of time going down blind alleys if you have no one to lead you."
~W. Somerset Maugham
by Mark Polk
Hi Everybody,
A few weeks ago a childhood friend contacted me through Facebook. He asked if I remembered a conversation we had many years ago about one day riding motorcycles cross-country. He went on to say that he made the trip from Pennsylvania to the Sturgis Rally in South Dakota on his Harley this year. He also mentioned that he was getting a little old for sleeping on the ground and would have appreciated an RV shadowing him along the way.
I do remember that conversation we had as children many years ago. Now it has me thinking about making the trip with him when he does it again in 2012. It also has me wondering if my back and knee issues from my military days would cause problems on a 1,900 mile motorcycle trip!
I think Dawn is getting nervous because I have been looking on Craigslist for a good deal on a used touring bike. I'll need to give this some serious thought, but I will say it is a life-long dream that I would like to fulfill before I get much older. That kind of trip will really make you appreciate your RV. If I survive the the cross-country trip maybe I can just trailer the motorcycle behind the RV to future bike rallies.
Until next week, plan your trip, travel safe and enjoy your RV experiences. Remember, getting there is half the fun!
Mark Polk
Tips for Eliminating RV Odors Odors in our RV come in many different forms and are caused by many different sources. Some odors are pleasant, like fresh coffee brewing in the morning, and some are not so pleasant. The “not so pleasant” category includes holding tank odors, pet odors, cooking, smoke, must and mildew odors, just to name a few. Some of these odors result from normal use of the motorhome and some from sitting in storage. Today I want to give you some tips on how to control and eliminate some of these unpleasant odors.......... Read the article
Check out this week's poll: "
What is your favorite season of the year to use your RV?"
To participate in the poll, look on the left hand column (here at RV University) towards the top
...with Mark Polk
Q. Is it true that the only way for mice to get into the vehicle is by climbing the tires to find a way in? If this is true I wonder if you simply bought some aluminum fascia and put it around each of the 4 tires with the aluminum turn back ('j" trim) pointing away from the tires to provide a smooth vertical surface and smooth horizontal surface. It may seem like a lot of work but might be well worth it if the tires are the only access to the vehicle. What are your thoughts?
Mark Says:
Basically anything in contact with the ground, from the RV, can give mice a way in. This can be the tires, jacks, power cord, sewer hose, water hose etc.
Aluminum fascia might work. I never talked to anybody who tried it. Once mice get in the RV your only real option to remove them is with traps, so it may be worth a try.
by Mark Polk
Mark's RV Quick Tip:
To keep your RV refrigerator operating efficiently in the LP gas mode there is some routine maintenance you can perform. Remove the outside lower vent cover to access the back of the refrigerator. With the refrigerator turned off ensure all connections are clean and tight. Turn the refrigerator on in the LP gas mode and a look at the flame. If the flame is burning poorly, a yellow colored flame, or if the refrigerator isn’t operating properly in the gas mode it’s possible that the baffle inside the flue is covered with soot. Soot, rust and other debris can fall down and obstruct the burner assembly. When this happens it will be necessary to clean the flue and the burner assembly. Turn the refrigerator off again and locate the burner. Directly above the burner is the flue. The baffle is inside the flue. Wear a pair of safety glasses and use an air compressor to blow air up into the flue. After the flue is clean use the compressed air to remove any debris from the burner and the back of the refrigerator compartment. Now, turn the refrigerator on in the LP gas mode to make sure it is working properly. Look for the bright blue flame.
Note: For a thorough cleaning of the flue and baffle it will be necessary to have an authorized RV service center do it for you. While it’s there have them to do an LP gas pressure test and leak test too. This should be done annually.
...with Mark Polk
Axle Ratio –
The number of times the drive shaft must turn to turn the axle one time. If you have a 3.73:1 axle ratio, the drive shaft turns 3.73 times for each full turn of the axle. The higher the numeric value of the axle ratio, the better the vehicle will tow; and the higher the numeric value the more gas you will use.
Cab Over –
The portion of a Type C motorhome that extends over the vehicle cab. It is usually outfitted with a bed or entertainment center.
Surfside Beach campers decorate golf carts for Halloween
Vacationer staying at Ocean Lakes Family Campground got in the Halloween spirit on Saturday.. .......
Julian campground shooting appears accidental
A 35-year-old woman at a Julian-area campground suffered a slight scratch from a stray round that may have been fired at a
target shooting spot Saturday, sheriff’s officials said........
Lt. Gov. thrilled with quick booking of Palmetto Island State Park
The opening of Palmetto Island State Park has been extremely well-received, based on the number of reservations made within the first 24 hours of the overnight facilities
Read more: VermilionToday.com - Lt Gov thrilled with quick booking of Palmetto Island State Park becoming available through ReserveAmerica....
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16 RV Single DVD Titles in our Library
An Introduction to RV'sDrive Your Motorhome Like a Pro
RV Awning Use, Care and Accessories
RV Safety Features, Tips and Tricks
Pop Up 101
Travel Trailer 101
Class A Motor Home 101
Class C Rental / Owner
Winterizing & Storing your RV
EZ RV Add Ons and Must Have RV Products
Trailer Towing, Weights, Hitch Work & Backing
Motorhome Towing
RV Campground Basics
Marks Recommended 10 minute RV Essential Items
Deep Cycle Battery Care & Maintenance for RV's and Boats
RV Care and Maintenance
Money Saving DVD Sets Available
Travel Trailer / 5th Wheel Training DVD Sets
Class A Training DVD Sets
Class C Training DVD Sets
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The Original Checklists for RVersWinterizing and Storing your RV
THE RV BOOK now available as an ebook
The Three Primary Systems of an RV
Insider's Guide to Buying an RV
RV Buyers Survival Guide
Trailer Towing, Weights, Hitch Work & Backing
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Deep Cycle Battery Care and Maintenance
RV Awning Use and Care
RV Safety Features, Tips and Tricks
RV Care and Maintenance
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About us:
Our goal with RV University This Week is to provide you with helpful information to make all of your RV experiences more enjoyable. I left my position as an RV Sales and F&I manager in 2000 to start my own company, RV Education 101. We produce educational videos, DVDs and e-books on how to use and maintain your RV. The reason I left my job was due to my concern about the lack of educational and safety awareness material available to the RV consumer, in other words, you. We are a small company. My wife Dawn left her position in RV sales to help start the company and is our Sales and Marketing Director. We currently have a 35-foot Class A motor home. We have two boys, Tyler 13 and Josh 19, both avid RVers and two dogs, Gracie and Buck. Gracie is the good one. If you would like to learn more about us and RV Education 101 feel free to visit http://www.rveducation101.com
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