Labor Day RV Travel despite Higher Prices at the Pump

Contact:
Mark J. Polk
RV Education 101
3969 Stedman Cedar Creek Road
Fayetteville, NC 28312
Phone: 910-484-7615
Fax: 910-484-8276
http://www.rvuniversity.com
Mark@rveducation101.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Labor Day RV Travel despite Higher Prices at the Pump..... Fayetteville, NC - Aug 30, 2005 - When asked about the higher cost of fuel, Mark Polk, the owner of RV Education 101, said that they have traveled in their RV over the summer months and will be traveling over Labor Day weekend, regardless of rising gas prices. "I for one am not going to let higher fuel prices change our plans for using and enjoying our RV. With that said, and a motor home that averages 8 miles to a gallon, I am forced to find ways to save on fuel rather than waiting and hoping that fuel prices will go down. After a little research I was surprised to learn how easy it can be to improve your fuel economy. Whether you're towing a trailer or driving a motor home there are many ways to improve fuel economy. By performing some simple maintenance procedures and changing our driving habits a little we can save a significant amount of fuel."

Research conducted by the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) earlier this year shows that Polk is not the only RV owner that felt this way. The study shows that a strong majority of RV owners intend to use their vehicles more this year compared to last year, despite the fuel prices. RV owners surveyed continue to cite the advantages of RVing - flexibility, control, and affordability - as being important in their decision to keep traveling this season.

RV sales have been at record levels, thus proving the rising fuel prices are not stopping RV travel. Polk stated "There are other ways to combat the higher cost of fuel. RVers can take shorter trips and explore some travel destinations closer to where they live. You can also stay in one area for a longer period of time. This summer we took shorter trips to our favorite beach destination. By taking the RV, we save what would have been a weekly beach cottage rental fee of $900, plus eating out, and it's only a 200 mile round trip. My thoughts are that higher fuel prices balance out with the savings in these other areas."

Polk offers these tips for increasing your fuel economy:

* For each 5mph you go over 60mph is equivalent to paying 10 cents more per gallon. So if you're traveling down the Interstate at 70 mph add 20 cents to the price on the pump!

* Speeding and rapid acceleration reduces fuel economy anywhere from 5 to 33% depending on your individual driving habits.

* Something as simple as a clean air filter can improve your fuel economy up to 10%.

* Keeping the vehicle tuned up and in top running condition saves fuel. A poorly tuned engine can lower fuel economy by 10 to 20%. Poor emissions and / or a faulty oxygen sensor can cause a 40% reduction in fuel economy.

* Checking and adjusting your tire pressure to the proper pressure can increase fuel economy by 3%, not to mention preventing premature tire wear and failures or blowouts 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.

Polk says that RVIA president, David Humphreys, sums it up best when he said "RVs are a comfortable, convenient, stress-free way to travel, enjoy the great outdoors and spend quality time with family."

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to visit RVIA's website go to:
http://rvia.org/

RV Education 101 is a North Carolina based Company that produces educational videos on how to use and maintain your RV. Mark Polk, the owner, started in the RV industry as an apprentice technician in the early 1970's. After retiring as a CW3 from the military (where Polk was an automotive maintenance technician, and was in charge of some very large maintenance operations throughout his career) in 1996, he got back into the industry he had a passion for. Polk has an extensive background in RV sales, service and management. He felt so strongly about educating the consumer that he left his position as an RV Sales Manager in 2000 to devote himself full time to his company. Mark’s program includes instructional videos and other materials to make your RVing lifestyle even easier. Mark also provides the RV Savvy segments for the RVTV program and can be seen on the Outdoor Channel. You can order Mark's complete line of RV Education 101 material from www.rveducation101.com

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Have you played RV LOTTO yet? RV Education 101 is co-sponsoring this site with the Circle of Trust RV Family and there are some great prizes; including a $5,000 shopping spree. Best of all - it's FREE! Sign up to play as an invited guest of RV Education 101! CLICK HERE: http://www.rvlotto.com/members/founders/rveducation101/register.php