RV Education 101 August 2007 Newsletter
- Thursday, July 26 2007 @ 03:05 pm UTC
- Contributed by: RVED101
The RV Education 101 Newsletter
Learning RV's the Easy Way by Video
Volume 42 - August 2007
To ensure future delivery of the RV Education 101 monthly newsletter to your inbox (not bulk or junk folders) please add our "From" address RVEducation101@RVEducation101.com to your address book or e-mail whitelist.
View KOA Clip
Kampgrounds of America (KOA)
proudly sponsor and are happy to endorse
RV Education 101, the leaders in the RV education arena.
Explorer RV Insurance Agency also
Proudly Endorses & Sponsors RV Education 101
Quote of the Month
"It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows... ~Epictetus
Announcing 3 new RV Education 101 DVD releases! Plus 3 New 9 DVD Box Sets!
A DVD in the RV Education 101 Seminar Series: A Comprehensive Process to Step-by-Step Learning Deep Cycle Battery Care and Maintenance for RV's and Boats Show me an RVer or boater who hasn't had problems with deep cycle batteries and I'll show you someone who hasn't been RVing or boating for very long. In most cases, problems related to deep cycle batteries are usually a result of not understanding what is involved to properly maintain and care for lead acid batteries.
Travel Trailer / 5th Wheel 9 DVD Bargain BOX SET Save big Money! 9 DVD Set:A $218.55 Value, for $143.95
Class A Motorhome 9 DVD Bargain BOX SET Save big Money! 9 DVD Set:A $218.55 Value, for $143.95
Class C Rental / Owner 9 DVD Bargain BOX SET Save big Money! 9 DVD Set:A $218.55 Value, for $143.95
Editorial by Mark
Hi Everybody,
Well, August is here and for us that translates into one final RV trip before the kids head back to school. We are on the road, in the RV, headed for Disney World. I'm looking forward to a few days off from work, but not to the long lines waiting to get on a ride. If you have never stayed at Fort Wilderness in your RV you should try to make plans to visit there sometime in the future. It's a wonderful place and a great experience for the family, especially the kids. Dawn's sister and her family will be with us so it should be lots of fun.
As things wind down for the summer I will be finishing up one more new DVD titled, RV Awning Use, Care & Accessories. I am including an excerpt of the new DVD in this months video tip, demonstrating how to install a window awning in 6 easy steps.
I also included a video tip on the installation of a Target vehicle lift for any auto enthusiasts out there. In addition to being an avid RVer I am a muscle car and antique car enthusiast, so a vehicle lift is only fitting for our new garage. The first project for the new lift is a 1948 Willys truck restoration. I'll keep you posted.
Thanks again to all of you and enjoy the newsletter. Until next month, happy camping,
Mark
Rving With Mark Polk ~ Feature Article: Weighing your RV
Understanding RV weight issues can be confusing. I want to assist you in making your RV travel safer by understanding and managing your vehicle weights. Remember, getting to your favorite destination safely is half the fun.
Weighing your RV can be the difference between a safe, enjoyable trip and a costly, disastrous trip. The Recreation Vehicle Safety & Education Foundation (RVSEF) has weighed over 10,000 motorhomes and trailers in conjunction with RV events. The results are a real eye opener. Nearly a quarter of the RVs weighed had loads that exceeded the capacity of the tires on the vehicles. On average, these RVs were overloaded by over 900 pounds based on manufacturer specifications. In a separate survey conducted by Bridgestone/Firestone, 4 out of 5 RVs had at least one under inflated tire, a third of which were dangerously under inflated and at risk of failure. Most of the weight was on the rear. 40% of all rear tires were overloaded. Improper weight distribution resulted in 28% of all motorhomes being out of balance by 400 pounds or more from one axle end to the other.
Feedback about RV Education 101 products
GREG GERBER
Editor, RV Trade Digest ~
"Mark Polk has written a superbly insightful book on how to use and
properly maintain any recreation vehicle. This indispensable guide will
save RV owners plenty of money and countless hours of frustration. With
the possible exception of a sewer hose, The RV Book should be the first
thing new RV owners buy. After reading it, they should store it in the
cabinet above their refrigerator - it will be like taking an RV service
technician with them on vacation. As a seasoned RV user himself, Mark
knows first hand what all RV owners need to know to enjoy a hassle-free
and safe experience on the road and in the campground. Don't have an RV
yet? The RV Book can help anyone select the right motorhome or travel
trailer based on the unique needs of his or her family. Mark skillfully
guides even the most novice of RV users through the sometimes
complicated maze of buying, owning, storing and maintaining a recreation
vehicle. The book's resource section lists the names of scores of
companies and associations directly involved in the RV industry, along
with their web addresses should further information be desired. Reading
The RV Book is just like buying 10 years of RVing experience."
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: "Target Lift Installation "
This Month We Have 2 Video Tips For You
Sponsored by Camping World
America's Outdoor Store Since 1966
"6 Easy Steps to Window Awning Installation"
Arm Yourself with Qualified RV Buying Information From the RV Education 101 Expert, Mark Polk....
Mark says....
Pop-ups are commonly referred to by their box size. What this means is the length of the box that is mounted to the frame of the trailer. For years, manufacturers offered 8-foot, 10-foot and 12-foot boxes for their pop-ups. Now innovative manufacturers are coming out with even larger versions, 14-foot boxes, and off road models for campers that really want to explore America’s back roads. The closed length of a pop-up is measured from the front of the tongue to the rear bumper. Pop-ups can sleep up to eight people depending on the model and prices can range from $6,000 to over $14,000. I recommend that you purchase an RV training video on the type of RV you are buying and view it prior to the scheduled walk through. You will have a much better understanding of how everything works and you can ask more targeted questions. RV training videos are available at http://www.rveducation101.com/
You can also print the pre-delivery inspection checklist from my Insiders Guide to Buying an RV e-book in chapter 6, and take it with you to assist with the walk through. Mark's information packed "Insiders Guide to Buying an RV" e-book
NOW 56 pages: This is an instant download for only $14.95 ..cheaper than a college course! How to inspect and evaluate a used motorhome with secret methods and inspection hints used by professional RV Appraisers.
BUY
NOW $27.00 RV EDUCATED? Take the Test and see... Every seam on your RV and anywhere the manufacturer cut a hole in your RV has the potential to allow water in. To protect your investment and your wallet take the time to REALLY inspect all of these seams and sealants. Water damage on an RV is similar to progressive damage to a tire. The outside of the tire looks fine, but the internal damage over a long period of time causes the tire to fail without any warning. The outside of your RV looks fine but the internal damage caused by water over a long period of time can result in the entire roof, floor or wall rotting away without you knowing it. 1) Delaminating is caused by water getting between the exterior fiberglass and the sidewall. When this happens the exterior fiberglass separates from the sidewall of the RV. True or False 2) Discoloration or wrinkles in the wallpaper, and soft spots on the walls or around any other openings that were cut in the side walls indicate potential leaks.
True or False To read the full article on “Inspecting your RV for Water Damage” and get the"answers to these questions" (Answer towards the bottom of the newsletter)
RV Education Crossword Puzzle
Before you Buy Your RV!
....
This instant download e-guide was written by Les Doll, a working Certified RV technician, with
years of RV construction and maintenance experience. In this guide you will find
many little-known secrets and methods used by professional buyers to evaluate a
used RV. This one of a kind electronic guide is your step-by-step road map to
the selection of a trouble free used RV.
Brought to you by RV Education 101
This month’s play and learn crossword puzzle is Trailer Sway . Have fun, play and learn.
Q & A by Mark Polk
*NOTE: At Mark's discretion, material might be edited to suit a wide audience. Due to the large volume of material and correspondence we receive, individual replies might not be possible, nor can we acknowledge receipt of submitted material. Selected questions will be answered in future issues of our RV Education 101 newsletter and on our site. Thank-you for your understanding.
Q: If you have a motorcoach that normally requires 50 amp service and the campground can only offer 30 amp service.....does that work???? Can you plug a 50 amp plug into a 30 amp service????? Does this mean you just have less power to work with???
Mark Says: Yes you can use the 30 amp service. You will need an adapter to go from your 50 amp plug to the 30 amp service. This may or may not come with the unit. You will be limited to what you can use when plugged in to 30 amps.
Q: I want to put a motorcycle lift on the back of my coach (probably a RV Lifts of America) to carry my 2006 Honda Goldwing on the back of my Monaco Signature (w/ tag axle). I then want to flat tow a Jeep Liberty 4x4 which weighs about 4400 lbs. behind the coach. I understood about GCWR and the other weight factors......can you elaborate on what adding a motorcycle on a lift does to the overall weight equation?
Mark Says: I would guess that in your situation it would have little or no impact. If it were a gas RV chassis, limited to a 5,000 pound tow rating or a GCWR that is easily exceeded, I would have some concern. I don't want to say for sure, but again I don't think it will be a problem.
Q: I have been reading that when either one of four conditons occur ...your batteries are getting charged:
1) with the coach engine running, your coach batteries and house batteries are getting charged
2) with shore power (RV park electrical connection) the house batteries are getting charged
3) with the generator running, the house batteries are getting charged
4)with the optional solar panel, the house batteries are getting charged
BUT.....when the coach is parked for long extended periods but plugged into shore power, the COACH BATTERIES DO NOT GET CHARGED UNLESS YOU RUN THE ENGINE. Is there anyway to keep the coach batteries (engine starting batteries) charged up so the coach will start?
Mark Says: The RV will have battery disconnect switches. When parked for long periods of time you will turn the starting or chassis battery disconnect switch off to prevent any battery drain. With nothing draining the battery it should hold a charge, unless you're talking several months. A battery will loose a percentage of charge when stored for long periods of time. You can purchase a product like BatteryMinder to keep the chassis battery charged if you want. That's what I do.
Q: I am seriously interested in deep cycle batteries for the coach batteries (Glass Matt batteries) and an "effecitve solar" panel. I was watching a snipped from the "Full Timing" DVD (that I now own) and in the seminar, Lifestyle on Wheels, a solar expert talks about the effectiveness of solar charging. Yes when the sun is shining, technically you can charge the house batteries....but heat will reduce the effectiveness of solar charging. So the guy on the video suggest OVERSIZING the solar panel due to loss in charging due to heat.
Mark Says: I guess this would depend on how you plan to use the RV. If you enjoy dry camping you will need some way to put back in to the batteries what you take out. Solar charging does this. Basically the size of the panels will depend on the amperage you plan to use on a daily basis and the configuration of the batteries or battery bank. I am not an expert on this but there are fairly simple formulas to determine how many and how big the panels would be. Glass Mat batteries are very good by the way.
Q: I am doing my "homework" so that when I do buy a coach...it will be a "perfect purchase". What bothers me is that the reports say that on the averge, every 28 months someone trades in a coach for another one. I have to think the depreciation would kill them. Is it better to lease a coach or buy one?
Mark Says: RV's depreciate and depreciation will do a job on you if you trade or sell the unit that soon. Many people purchase the wrong RV the first time around and end up trading within one, two or three years. This is common in this industry. Whether it's too small, too big or the wrong type they end up "upside down'" and it's hard to get out of after that. I think the important thing is that you know for a fact you enjoy RVing and research a great deal on the type and size of RV that will suit your needs. And of course that you buy the unit right too. If you're not absolutely sure you should rent one and see what you think.
Mark's information packed "Insiders Guide to Buying an RV" instant download-book
by Peggi McDonald, Author of RV Living in the 21st
Century
VOLUNTEER: PROVIDE HELP AND MAKE FRIENDS
Many RV parks need volunteers. These may include teaching
crafts and hobbies, dance steps or aerobics. Also needed
are volunteers to clean up after a function, help cook a meal
or decorate for special events. The number and variety of
tasks are endless, and many RVers assist in more than one
way. It's a wonderful way to meet others, and sometimes
volunteers receive compensation and/or free admission.
Some RVers volunteer in the local community. One winter
in Texas many RVers volunteered to help serve dinner on
Christmas Day to the children of Progresso, Mexico. Others
collected and wrapped gifts for these children. Several
women at our park helped at a senior's home assisting with
routine chores. Others volunteered to participate in a 'Build'
for Habitat for Humanity. The opportunities for rewarding
and helpful activities are endless. Volunteering can open a
new world for you, with the friends you make a bonus.
About RV LIVING IN THE 21ST CENTURY
This book is for the new or experienced RVer. There are
so many tips from “how to” subjects as well as practical advice on "what to do"
when you have medical problems on the road, and how to choose an emergency
roadside service. The security tips for your house while you are away and health
& safety tips are just a couple of subjects out of many that are invaluable
and give you peace of mind! There is so much information we couldn't possibly
list it all. RV Education 101 highly recommends this book: RV
Living in the 21st Century
Also, get lots of great tips from Peggi's instant download e-book RV Packing Tips, E-book:
The RV Insurance Corner: Learning About RV Insurance Through Stories and Examples
RV Education 101 feels that prevention is the best protection. We also feel that by adding some real life scenario's of insurance claims, we can help educate you and bring awareness regarding subjects that you may never have considered.
Mexican Liability Coverage-
If unsure if you are covered, you may want to check with your insurance agent to see if you have this valuable coverage. Join RV Scrapbook as a registered member, absolutely FREE, and enjoy tons of fun. Create an online RV travel journal, (RV travelogue), and keep it private - or share it with the world... It's what MySpace is for teens and twenty-somethings... just for the RV community! Imagine it... Creating your own RV camping community online is simple, and our FREE membership gives you an entire world, created by YOU, to enjoy Rving - even when you're at home. For our members' protection and privacy, we do not allow un-registered guests to browse the site. We guarantee you'll love it - and you can cancel any time.....hosted by Happy Camper RV Club. Start your half-price discount camping privileges today Not already a member? Join 1/2 price camping today! Brought to you by Explorer Insurance Agency
While most RV insurance provides physical damage coverage while traveling in Mexico, it does not provide Mexican Liability Coverage. When traveling in Mexico by auto or RV, you must have Mexican Liability Coverage from a Mexican Insurance Company, which you can buy from US-based brokers or at the border. read a very informative article by Jim Labelle, about properly insuring yourself to travel south of the border.
An RV Education 101 Endorsed Product:
RV and Boat Deep Cycle Batteries Die Before They Should Coach Care RV Service Centers
OdorCide for tough RV odors
OdorCide is the most effective
odor eliminator available. It was scientifically formulated to break down
even the most difficult odor molecules in the air and on fabric. OdorCide is
hypoallergenic, non-staining, environmentally safe and recommended by
hospitals, animal clinics and professional cleaning services. OdorCide is an
excellent room freshener, smoke odor eliminator, fabric refresher, pet odor
eliminator, and an odor neutralizer. OdorCide has a very mild scent which
does not linger like many of the overbearing, highly perfumed sprays.
OdorCide works very rapidly to remove odor on a variety of odors such as;
pet odor and urine, smoke, bathroom odor, must and mold, trash odor,
furniture, draperies, carpet, clothing and autos.
In addition OdorCide has
been found to be very effective as an odor neutralizer on odors such as;
diaper pails, skunk odor, colostomy appliances and many other non-typical
odors.
Rest Areas and Welcome Centers by William C. Herow
Information packed, RV Education 101 instant download RV E-Books
Campground
Cooking
Campground Cooking is also sold as an e-book $12.95
Buy Now, Read Instantly
Camp Hosting USA--Your Guide to State Park Volunteering
ANSWERs to RV Educated Quiz:
1T, 2T,
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 10 and Josh 16, 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
RV Education 101 Newsletter © Copyright 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 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.
To contact us with feedback or questions, email to: info@rveducation101.com
To subscribe, please email http://rveducation101.com/email/
To unsubscribe, please email http://rveducation101.com/email/unsubscribe.asp
RV Education 101 Newsletter is an opt-in ezine available by subscription only. We neither use nor endorse the use of spam. Your email address will ONLY be used to distribute this newsletter and will NEVER be sold or given to any other entity!!
Happy Camping,
Mark & Dawn
RV Education 101
3969 Stedman Cedar Creek Road
Fayetteville, NC
28312
910-484-7615
