RV University This Week 03/28/2011
- Monday, March 28 2011 @ 12:08 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 #93 - March 28, 2011
“Learning never exhausts the mind."
~Leonardo da Vinci
by Mark Polk
Hi Everybody,
I recently had the privilege to correspond with Marty and Patti Shenkman through email. Patti was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2006. After the diagnosis Marty used his professional background as a tax attorney to establish a charity called RV 4 the cause, wwwrv4thecause.com This charity is designed to help those living with chronic illness, their caregivers and loved ones by educating professional advisers and consumers about estate, insurance, tax and financial planning for those living with chronic illnesses. The way Marty and Patti do that is by traveling around the country in their Airstream travel trailer conducting free educational seminars and webinars.
Marty and Patti are on the road right now and Marty is conducting a series of five free consumer webinars from five different Good Sam RV parks during their travels. One of the seminars has already been given, but four are still available for registration.
The goal of these webinars are to help consumers in general, especially those living with chronic illness or disability, understand what they can do to protect themselves and their families.
Five hundred listeners can be hosted for each webinar, so it is important that you register for any of the upcoming webinars you are interested in now. The webinars cover topics like estate planning, living wills, powers of attorney and revocable living trusts.
I am including the dates, topics and registration information at links posted below. For more information on RV4thecause please take a minute to visit the website at rv4thecause
Be sure to register now for the webinars and put the dates on your calendar. The webinars are free but you must register for a spot.
In Episode #6 of "Mark's RV Garage" we will speak more in depth with Marty and Patti about this great charity, and the mission they are on.
Until next week, plan your trip, travel safe and enjoy your RV experiences. Remember, getting there is half the fun!
Mark Polk
**REMINDER! Like the RV Education 101 Facebook page. We post helpful RV information often and would also appreciate feedback, tips, RV related photos and comments from you!
RV Travel Safety & Security Trip Planning: 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 trip. Route your trip on a map or from an Internet trip planning website. ............. Read the article
Cartoon by Mark Polk
RVing with Mark Polk - The Lighter Side, Buying an RV!
I thought a little humor in your day would be good. Here are some RV buying scenarios …
you should try to avoid!
..........
Check out this week's poll: "Has your RV ever been broken into?"
To participate in the poll, look on the left hand column (here at RV University) towards the top
KOA KOMPASS:
RV Education 101 RV Quick Tip
– 3 Steps to Extend RV Tire Life
FMCA:
Polk’s Top 7 RV Safety Reminders
Safety is paramount when it comes to using and enjoying our motorhomes. From pre-trip inspections to setting up and actually using the RV, there is always an element of RV safety involved.
by Mark Polk
RV Travel Safety:
For one minute, try to think the way a criminal would think. If you were at a rest stop looking for your next target or victim, what would you look for? Let’s pretend for a moment that you were going to target a vehicle. Which would be more appealing, a car whose owner stopped for a quick bathroom break or an expensive looking Class A motor home, whose owners are out walking their dogs? I don’t have the mind of a criminal but this is easy to figure out. That expensive looking RV probably has expensive contents inside like, jewelry, cameras, or a laptop computer.
It’s unfortunate that we live in a day and age where we need to take added measures to protect ourselves. I don’t want you to feel like everybody you meet during your travels is a thief or has bad intentions. Just use common sense and be aware of what is going on around you. Be safe and happy camping.
RV Safety Features, Tips and Tricks e-book
...with Mark Polk
Q.
My question is about Field Mice.
They LOVE my motorhome.
I have tried Bounce distributed liberally about the interior, cotton
soaked with peppermint oil (interior and basement), electronic sonic
noise maker, and "Shake Away" inside and out. I have also used traps
with peanut butter and cheese (haven't used them for a year), and
rodent poison provided by my Terminix technician (currently in use).
I realize that the traps and poison are attractors while the rest are
supposed to repel, and wonder if they are working against each
other.
So far (knock on wood) no water lines or electric insulation have been on the mouse menu. I do leave several old soft rags in the basement storage which they seem to be happy with.
But I am out of airspeed and ideas and would welcome any advice or counsel you could provide.
PS I really don't want to get a cat.
Mark Says:
The topic of how to solve the mouse problem has been elusive to RVers for many years. I get asked about it, write about it, but have never been able to solve it completely.
It's funny you should write about mice right now. I just got an email from another RVer who wrote to tell me about what she says is the best way to control mice in your RV.
I have never tried the product, but she swears by it. Maybe you should give it a try.
Here is a link to the site she referenced: Rat Zapper If you try it let me know what the results are.
RV Education Crossword Puzzle
This play and learn crossword puzzle is "Cold Weather RVing By Mark Polk".
Have fun, play and learn.
Maine park users warned of credit card breach
A security breach may have exposed credit card information from people who bought Maine state park passes through an online vendor used by the state Conservation Department, and the potential breach could be much larger and involve consumers in other states, .
Maine officials said Thursday...........
RV ordinance not happening
Over 180 people, many RV enthusiasts, packed the Alamogordo City Commission's regular meeting Tuesday to protest a possible RV ordinance the city was to discuss that night, but no action was taken and it appears RV owners made their point with commissioners..........
Little Orleans campground dispute moves to Annapolis
A dispute over services and fees at an Allegany County campground has
sparked a bill in Annapolis.........
Roodhouse park board members removed in vote
Roodhouse aldermen voted 4-2 during an emergency City Council meeting to remove all sitting members of the park board and replace the
caretakers at Community Park..........
New RV Education “How-To” Show Series Carving Niche in Online Entertainment
We are the RV consumer advocates, Polk said. Folks in the RV industry build RVs and sell RVs, but I have always felt there was a huge lack of educating the RV consumer on how to properly use the RV after the consumer purchases it. That’s what we do, we work very hard
to educate the RV consumer. ..........
Let RV Education 101 help you save money in 2011
This weeks featured product:
RV Tire Care & Maintenance E-Course
This online e-course is packed with information on caring for and maintaining your RV tires. Video host Mark Polk explains tire inflation, tire inspection, overloading, tire maintenance, how to decipher the tire sidewall and much more in this informative online RV tire e-course. Total Run Time is 18 minutes 40 seconds. This affordable online e-course is priced at only$6.99.
RV Videos on Demand Tip: Replacing one tire on a motorized RV, due to lack of routine maintenance, can cost you 30 times the price of this e-course.
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RV4TheCause's Mission: To help those living with chronic illness, their caregivers and loved ones by educating professional advisers (CPAs, attorneys, financial planners) and consumers about estate, insurance, tax and financial planning for those living with chronic illness. We provide free educational seminars for professional advisers, planned giving professionals, and consumers, as we travel the country in our Airstream RV.
Free Consumer Webinars- COMPLETED- 3:00 pm Friday March 25, 2011 EST “Estate Planning Introduction and Overview” broadcast from the Good Sam RV Park: Cherry Hill Park, 9800 Cherry Hill Road, College Park, MD
- 7:00 pm EST March 28, 2011 “Estate Planning when you or a Loved One is Living With Chronic Illness,” broadcast from the Good Sam RV park: Rvacation Campground. 428 Campground Rd., Selma, NC.
- 10:30 am EST March 30, 2011 “Powers of Attorney – What they Are and What you Need to Know,” broadcast from the Good Sam RV park: The Campground At James Island County Park 871 Riverland Dr Charleston, SC.
- 7:30 pm EST April 4 “Living Wills, Health Proxies: Vital Documents for Everyone,” broadcast from the Good Sam RV park: Camp Nebraska, 10314 North Nebraska Avenue turn onto E. Bougainvillea Ave., Tampa, FL.
- 9:30 am EST April 7, 2011 “Revocable Living Trusts and Chronic Illness,” broadcast from the Good Sam RV park: Alltoona Landing Campground, 24 Alatoona Landing Rd SE, Cartersville, GA.
Sponsors and Helpful RV Links:
Own a motorhome?
Membership in FMCA brings with it a wealth of benefits and services
— all specially designed to meet the needs of motorhome owners.
The value of these benefits and services far exceeds the cost of the annual dues.
Benefit highlights
Explorer RV Insurance: 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........
MBA Rental Insurance for Dealers and Consumers: Specializing in RV Rental Motorhome Insurance Since 1978. An "A" Rated Insurance Company Insuring over 2,000 Rental Dealers Nationwide. .......
MaxxAir : The best way to describe MaxxAir is to say it’s in the air moving business -- RV ventilation to be more specific........
DirecLink: Stop relying on brake controllers that use devices to sense what’s happening. DirecLink gets its information direct from the source - your tow vehicle. ........
KOA: KOA camping is different. Our Great People make sure of that. At every one of our over 475 locations our focus is you. Your experiences. Your enjoyment. Your memories. Your camping. ........
Camping World: Placing your order with Camping World is easy with knowledgeable crew members ready to assist with questions, or find just the right product you need. ........
Camping/RV Battery Chargers- BatteryMINDers® are the new generation of SMART, pulse type "computer-on-a-chip" chargers, that safely charge and maintain all size / type / brands of batteries including starter, deep cycle and sealed types including AGM “dry” made by OPTIMA, ODYSSEY, EXIDE, INTERSTATE, et al. They do all of this without ever overcharging, no matter how long they are left on charge – days-weeks-or even months. Dubbed the chargers with "brains," they are the first to fully-automatically reverse the primary cause of early battery failure known as "sulfation". Sulfated batteries once considered beyond recovery can now be brought back to long-term useful condition. Certain models of BatteryMINDers® can more than double the useful life of new batteries.
Progressive Dynamics Inc. The source of bright ideas since 1964 Progressive Dynamics offers quality Recreational Vehicle products to the RV industry.
Dicor Corporation is a leading supplier of innovative products to the OEM and component manufacturers for recreational and conversion vehicle industries, as well to distributors in the recreational vehicle and automotive aftermarkets.
The Itasca Reyo® made a splash last year as the first full-size Class A coach built on the nimble Mercedes-Benz® Sprinter chassis. For 2011, the Reyo adds a third model to take full advantage of the improved fuel-economy and power of the Mercedes-Benz turbo-diesel engine. A whole new Class A revolution continues to grow. Join in the fun today with your very own 2011 Itasca Reyo.
Whether you are brand new to the RV experience or a veteran of the traveled road, learn step-by-step, all the facets of RVing - from the obvious to the “I never realized that”... Go HERE to find out....
Episode #1 of "Mark's RV Garage"
Episode #2 of "Mark's RV Garage"
Episode #3 of "Mark's RV Garage"
Episode #4 of "Mark's RV Garage"
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17 RV Single DVD Titles in our Library An Introduction to RV's
Pop Up 101
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RV Awning Use, Care and Accessories
RV Safety Features, Tips and Tricks
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EZ RV Add Ons and Must Have RV Products
Tow Your 5th Wheel Like a Pro
Trailer Towing, Weights, Hitch Work & Backing
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RV Campground Basics
Marks Recommended 10 minute RV Essential Items
Deep Cycle Battery Care & Maintenance for RV's and Boats
RV Care and Maintenance
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The Original Checklists for RVersWinterizing and Storing your RV
THE RV BOOK now available as an ebook
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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 14 and Josh 20, both avid RVers and three dogs, Roxie, Gracie and Buck. 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,
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RV Education 101
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Harrells, NC
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