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The RV Education 101 Newsletter
Learning RV’s the Easy Way by Video
Volume 29 – July 2006
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Quote of the Month
Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere. ~Chinese Proverb~
Editorial by Mark
Hello Again Everybody, I hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July. We recently returned from a 2 week business / pleasure trip to Colorado and the day we got back made a quick trip to the beach. In last months editorial I mentioned that we had already traveled more than 3,600 miles in our new motorhome. On this trip we logged another 3,500 miles pushing the odometer to slightly over 7,100 miles. We will be heading to Niagra Falls in a couple of weeks for some more RVing fun!
In Colorado, we visited Dawn’s Family and our friends, filmed footage for a new DVD title, fly fished Eleven Mile Canyon, visited several fascinating attractions and saw some beautiful scenery.
One of my favorite attractions on the way there (and on the way back) was stopping at the Cabela’s in Kansas. It just so happened to be Fathers Day when we stopped on the way there, and it just so happened I needed a new pair of waders. How convenient for me, huh! Tyler said, “Boy dad you sure are lucky to be here on fathers day.” But seriously, if you ever have an opportunity to stop at a Cabela’s you should do it, they really are quite an amazing place to visit.
The lowest price we paid for gas was $2.64 at a Flying J in Virginia, and the highest price was $3.00 in West Virginia, where the tax on gasoline is almost 45 cents a gallon. Needless to say I only bought enough gas there to get us across the state line. I figured I don’t live in West Virginia so why should I get stuck paying their taxes. I have been keeping a close eye on everybody’s thoughts and views on how higher gas prices will affect the RV industry, but I must say after seeing all of the RV’s on the road and in the campgrounds I don’t think it’s changing many RVers plans for traveling.
We had a great response from the new “play and learn” crossword puzzle last month. Some readers wrote in saying it was easy and others wrote saying they almost got everything right. We’ll mix it up a little, making some puzzles harder than others.
Happy Birthday America!
Enjoy the newsletter & happy camping,
Mark
Feature Article by Mark
Keep your Camper Cool
Summer is here and for RVers that not only means prime travel season is upon us, but so is the heat. If you ever walked inside an RV that is sitting in the direct sunlight on a hot summer day you know what I mean. I thought this would be a good time to list a few things we can do to make our summer RV camping trips more pleasurable.
- 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.
- You can also improve your air conditioners efficiency by keeping the A/C filters clean. In most cases you can wash the filters in warm soapy water, rinse thoroughly and allow them to dry before reinstalling. Another option is to clean the filters with a small hand held vacuum cleaner. I recommend you keep a new set on hand in the event the old filters have seen better days.
- Use your main awning and any window awnings to assist in cooling the RV down. In addition to the awnings use your window blinds or drapes to help keep the sun out and the cooler air in.
- Campground voltage can fluctuate, especially during the summer months when campers are running their A/C, placing a higher demand on campground electricity. You should monitor the voltage coming in to your RV with a digital voltmeter. If voltage drops below 105-volts or goes above 130-volts turn your appliances and electronic equipment off until proper voltage is restored.
- Install a thermostatically controlled refrigerator vent fan at the back of the refrigerator, or at the top of the roof vent, to assist with drafting the hot air away from the refrigerator. If you are mechanically inclined these fans are fairly easy to install, or you can have your RV dealer install one for you. Either way it’s worth it. The fan removes the heat built up behind the refrigerator improving the refrigerators performance by up to 40%.
- Another ingredient to keeping your RV cool is proper ventilation. Proper ventilation helps prevent excess heat from building up in your RV. You can install Maxx Air vent covers over the roof vents to allow for ventilation. They are inexpensive, easy to install and they let the fresh air in, even when it’s raining, while the stale, musty air, smoke, cooking odors and heat escapes. I use a vent cover on each end of our RV to promote cross ventilation.
- To help keep the inside of the RV cool try to avoid opening the door as much as possible and cook outside rather than inside whenever possible.
- Take a couple of small fans with you to help circulate the air. If for some reason you can’t run the A/C you’ll be glad you have them.
Happy Camping,
Mark
Marks RV Video Tip of the Month
Some of our monthly RV Video Tips are designed to provide basic RV information for new RVers and some of the future RV Video Tips will cover more advanced topics. If you have any ideas for future topics you can email me at Mark@rveducation101.com
This months RV video tip is: Controlling Sway
Low Bandwidth Version…. https://rveducation101.com/videostream/?clip=TrailerswaySlow
New Monthly Feature RV Education Crossword Puzzle
As an added bonus to our newsletter, each month we will feature, another fun way to learn about your RV, by a Crossword Puzzle. This month’s play and learn crossword puzzle is on your RV’s electrical system. Have fun, play and learn.
“I have completed your crossword puzzle. That was fun and fairly easy. You guys put out a good service for your customers. I wish you much luck with your business.” Robert Murphy
RV Broadcasting Is RV Travel Radio – We Keep the Good Times Rolling!
Listen to RV Education 101’s interview with Reno
Recreation Vehicle Fires Can Be Dangerous & Costly…Here are a some good safety tips to help protect you from fires when using your RV. For more information concerning RV fire safety check out my article titled RV Fire Safety
RV E-Books are a great way to get the RV information you are looking for instantly, and with our newly designed shopping cart ordering the E-books you want has never been easier. Check out our RV E-book library and get the information you want right now!
Consumer feedback about RV Education 101 products
Hi Dawn, We just bought our first fifth-wheel, a used 2002 Keystone Laredo. We have been looking for a few years and along the way, we bought your videos on towing and setting up the trailer which, by the way, are great! Thanks so much for your check-lists e-book. It is packed full of valuable information. We watched your tape again last night, and we are so pleased with how straight-forward your husband presents everything. When we first purchased our fifth-wheel, all the information about what you had to do to set it up was so overwhelming, but you guys make it so easy to learn and remember. I am sure we will think of you both as we start “playing” with our fifth-wheel today. We can hardly wait.
Thanks,
Mary H Kloman
Hot! RV DVD Value Packs Hot!
We just made it easier for you to learn about YOUR RV! We took our individual Travel Trailer and Motorhome DVD titles and put them in sets with other titles from our library that apply. There are three value packs to choose from and each value pack includes four RV training DVD’s, which equates to almost three hours of one-on-one RV instruction. Not only does this eliminate the guess work as to which DVDs should go together, but you also SAVE a significant amount of money with the value set discount. After watching this complete RV DVD value set by RV expert Mark Polk, you will master your own RV experiences. Another great thing is this only counts as one item, so you only pay $4.95 for S/H!
The 3 value sets currently available are: Class A Motorhome, Class C Motorhome & Travel Trailer/5th Wheel. Each set includes 4 DVDs. Get your RV DVD value set today!
Motorhome and generator service
Funroads, your one-stop information shop for RV service, maintenance and repair. Find motorhome service locations, RV appliance service or shop for Onan parts and manuals.
General and Unsubscribe Info
About us:
Our goal with this monthly newsletter 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 9 and Josh 15, 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 our website> www.rveducation101.com
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Happy Camping,
Mark & Dawn
