RV University This Week 11/22/2010
- Monday, November 15 2010 @ 03:29 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 #82 - November 22, 2010
“I would fain grow old learning many things.”
~Plato
by Mark Polk
Hi Everybody,
After our last RV trip I drained all of the water from the motorhome, anticipating I would soon be winterizing it. The other day I refilled the fresh water tank, water heater and water lines for one more fall camping trip. We decided at the last minute to spend Thanksgiving in Pennsylvania with my mother and nephew.
I just checked the weather report and it is supposed to dip down to 24 degrees with freezing rain soon after we get there. That is quite a contrast to 74 degrees yesterday when I took an afternoon ride on my motorcycle.
I'm not concerned about the water system freezing as long as we keep the heat on, and I think it will warm up significantly during the afternoon hours, but I picked up a couple jugs of RV antifreeze just in case. As usual Dawn, myself and the boys are all excited to head out on another RV adventure.
As soon as we return from this trip I will be leaving for the 2010 RVIA National RV Trade Show in Louisville, Kentucky. After I attend to some business I get to browse the 760,000 SF event, and see all of the new RV's and RV products for 2011. I feel like a kid in a candy store every time I go to Louisville.
Over the last several months we have been working on a brand new website. I can't reveal too much information (Dawn wants to keep it a surprise), but I like to coin it as "The Ultimate RV Education Center." We plan to launch the new site before the end of the year, so I will keep you posted.
There are many different parts and pieces involved with planning, designing, and launching a new site. One small piece of the puzzle for our new site is called "RV Videos on Demand." RV Videos On Demand is a site where we offer the consumer short online RV e-courses, usually about 10 minutes in length, on specific topics at a very affordable price. We decided to go ahead and release this small section of the new site now. There are only a few e-courses available right now, but we plan to add many more in the near future.
NOTE: If there is an RV topic you would like to learn more about send me an e-mail and if we add it to the RV videos on demand library I'll send you a free coupon to view it when it is finished.
There won't be a newsletter next week because I'll be at the RVIA trade show, but stay tuned, I will update everybody on what I saw at the show the following week.
If you are traveling over Thanksgiving be safe, it is one of the most heavily traveled holidays there is.
Last but certainly not least we want to get back to our weekly "Mark's RV Garage" RV video quick tips. For whatever reason we strayed from the weekly video tips for a while, but now they are back. Enjoy this week's episode titled, " Controlling Gray Water Odors
"
Until next week, Happy Thanksgiving, plan your trip, travel safe and enjoy your RV experiences. Remember, getting there is half the fun!
Mark Polk
**REMINDER! Do you know how to winterize your own RV?
Why Replace your Automobile Antifreeze? Normally I would be discussing RV antifreeze used to protect the water system in your RV or boat from freezing, but today I want to talk briefly about automotive antifreeze. If I were the CEO of an automotive antifreeze company my entire focus would be on the need to regularly flush the coolant system and add new antifreeze to the vehicle cooling system. ............ Read the article
by Mark Polk
Mark's RV Quick Tip:
Research Your RV Insurance
Your RV is a major investment. To protect your investment you need the proper type of insurance coverage. There are several major insurance companies that specialize in RV insurance and I strongly recommend that you use one that does specialize in RV’s. You might have a great insurance company for your home and automobiles, but an auto policy can’t begin to cover the complexities of an RV. You need specialty coverage like vacation liability, total loss replacement, personal effects and much more.
The Department of Insurance in the state you live in can be an excellent resource for additional information regarding state specific coverage’s. Most states offer a Consumer Buyer’s Guide on their website that will explain state specific nuances to each of these coverage’s.
Watch some RV Video Insurance tips provided by National Interstate Insurance....
...with Mark Polk
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) –
is also known as “No-Fault Insurance Coverage” and can be a first or third party coverage. This is a statutory coverage that is only available in some states and provides protection for injuries sustained in an accident regardless of fault. In a true no-fault state your insurer pays for your injuries, and the other party’s insurer pays for their injuries regardless of who is at-fault. PIP benefits are state mandated and can include medical expenses, lost wages, funeral expenses and substitute services. If you live in a PIP state, you should consult your insurance agent or the department of insurance for more information on the PIP options and rules that pertain to your state.
...with Mark Polk
Q. I just read an article in an RV magazine about using your leveling jacks to take pressure off the tires when the RV is stored for prolonged periods of time. Is this advisable? I have a Fleetwood Bounder that has a max gross wt of 28000 pounds.
I have another question. The tires on my RV are 6 years old - manufactured in 2004 per the date on the tire. I called around and found Michelin tires J rated and Goodyear tires H rated. The prices were about $400 dollars difference for 6 tires. Which tires would you recommend as a replacement? The tires currently on my RV are Goodyear and appear to be in pretty good shape. I keep them aired up to the recommended pressure and cover them when parked. The thing that concerns me is the age of the tires. I have heard you should replace them every 5 years and just today I spoke to a service agent at Camping World and he said I should replace them every 3 years.
I would appreciate any information that you can give. Up til now, we have taken short trips, but we are planning on taking an extended trip in the near future. That is why I'm concerned about the tires and which ones would be the best investment.
Thank you.
Mark Says:
Taking weight off of tires in storage can be good for the tires, but the jacks really aren't designed to support the weight of the RV (with the tires off the ground). I personally don't do it, but that doesn't mean nobody else should. I guess relieving some of the weight (but not all) couldn't hurt.
I tend to agree with the six year mark being the time to replace tires on a MH. Three years is ridiculous unless there is damage to the tires. My personal preference is Michelin (I run them on everything) but the majority of tires designed for RV's by major brand companies are all good tires for the most part. Just try to avoid tires made in China, or any other product for that matter!
I will be facing the tire changing expense next year, but better safe than sorry.
Enjoy your RV
RV Education 101 releases more online training programs
The latest online RV training program is titled RV Videos on Demand ........
Atlantic City show indicates many still in RV's camp after 100 years
For a century, Americans have been hitting the roads to an untold number of destinations and bringing the comforts and convenience of home along for the ride........
Enjoy Thanksgiving Dinner
at a Tennessee State Park this Year
Take the stress out of your holiday and let Tennessee State Parks host your friends and family, with Tennessee’s natural wonders serving as your backdrop during this
season of thanksgiving........
LLCs mean big bucks for Montana
MISSOULA - Out of state residents have been saving tens of thousands of dollars on taxes by registering their high-priced vehicles in Montana for years and the loophole is also bringing in
big bucks for the state. ........
Let RV Education 101 help you save money in 2010
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Benefit highlights
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This online RV training program includes an RV orientation video similar to the walk-through class you receive at the RV dealership. The RV Orientation video is 54 minutes long and is packed with information on topics like campground setup, the LP gas system, water system, wastewater system, electrical system, RV appliances, RV accessories and much more. We even added a bonus chapter on RV safety features, and some bloopers to make it more entertaining. The video is generic and covers all types of RV’s including motorized and towable RV’s. If your RV dealer does not offer this online RV training program you can purchase it here
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Money Saving DVD Sets Available
Travel Trailer / 5th Wheel Training DVD Sets
Class A Training DVD Sets
Class C Training DVD Sets
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
15 RV Instant Download E-Book Titles in our Library
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
A Collection of RV Tips
Pop-Up Basics 101
Dinghy Towing
Deep Cycle Battery Care and Maintenance
RV Awning Use and Care
RV Safety Features, Tips and Tricks
RV Care and Maintenance
RV Campground Basics
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General and Unsubscribe Info
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
RV University This Week © Copyright 2010 Mark J. Polk, except where indicated otherwise. All rights reserved worldwide. Reprint only with permission from copyright holder(s). All trademarks are property of their respective owners. All contents provided as is. Advertisers are solely responsible for ad content.
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Happy Camping,
Mark & Dawn
RV Education 101
150 Bay Ridge Rd
Harrells, NC
28444-8896
910-484-7615
Copyright 2010 by RV Education 101
