RV University This Week 06/07/2010
- Monday, June 07 2010 @ 02:20 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 #67 - June 7, 2010
"When your students file out at the end of class, how do you know that they can use what they've learned? Repeating information during class ensures that students know how to use the information in theory and in practice."
~Unknown
BY MARK
Hi Everybody,
Well there are only two days left before we leave on our RV trip. I checked the RV out and performed some routine maintenance on it and on the tow vehicle. Everything seems to be in order, we just need to load our personal belongings and make a few last minute arrangements around the house and we will be ready to go.
At the last minute I had some concern about the tires on the motorhome and the tow vehicle. I am not concerned about the condition of the tires, they are fine. The air pressure is properly adjusted, they are not too old, I have spares for both the tow vehicle and motorhome and I am taking a portable air compressor and inflation gauge along on the trip.
What I am concerned about is monitoring the tires while we are traveling. Tire blowouts can be extremely dangerous and if a tire on the tow vehicle blows out you may not even know it until a great deal of damage is done. So, at the last minute I decided to research a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). With a TPMS I would know immediately if a tire was rapidly loosing air pressure or if there was a significant change it temperature, both indications of possible tire failure.
What a great insurance policy, not to mention piece of mind, to be able to monitor all of the tires when you are traveling down the road. After researching the topic I contacted Minder Research, Inc. and informed them of my last minute concerns about a TPMS. The good folks there said not to worry, they could have a system here in plenty of time for the trip. I feel better already, and I will let you know how it goes when we hit the road.
Until next week, plan your trip, travel safe and enjoy your RV experiences. Remember, getting there is half the fun!
Mark Polk
Buying Tires for a Tow Vehicle Over the years we have owned five RV’s. First there was a small pop up, then a travel trailer, then a bigger travel trailer, a Type C motorhome and currently our Type A motorhome. I have always owned and driven a truck that is capable of towing a good size trailer. I don’t tow trailers as much as I used to, but just the nature of my business requires that I have a truck that can tow a trailer. ....... Read the article
Stay out of harm's way when RVing in hurricane zones
June 1st is the beginning of the six-month hurricane season. Predictions are that 2010 may be a very active season due to a waning El Nino and warmer waters in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans....
Contractor accused of defrauding FEMA
A federal grand jury today indicted a North Carolina businessman who contracted with the Federal Emergency Management Association to set up travel trailers in South Mississippi after
Hurricane Katrina.......
......
Couple Survives Storm in Flipped RV Thursday's winds left a path of damage at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi. Four people are still in the hospital, at least one is in serious condition....
BY Mark Polk
Mark's RV Quick Tip #1: Repairing Tears The good news about tears is, in most cases they can easily be repaired. I keep a roll of RV awning repair tape, (available at most camping supply stores), in an outside compartment of the RV. It’s easy to apply, invisible, and permanent. Another thing I really like about the repair tape is that it’s not just for awnings. You can use it to repair tents, pool liners, canvas, inflatable boats and many other items. This tape is similar to duct tape, never leave home without it.
Mark's RV Quick Tip #2: Check your individual fire extinguisher for the distance you should stand from a fire. Different extinguishing agents require different distances.
Check out this week's poll: "Have you ever had to replace or repair your RV awning?" To participate in the poll, look on the left hand column (here at RV University) towards the top
...with Mark
Q:
My wife and I are avid campers ( been for the last 26 years). I`ve seen a lot of discussion regarding "tires", on the RV , but what about the "tires" on the tow vehicle. I pull a 35` 5th wheel with a 2008 Ford F-250 power stroke diesel, I`m pretty much due for new tires. Taking into account the wear and tear pulling a camper puts on tires , which ones would be the best for me to get. My truck takes 275/R-18 size tires. I need an unbiased opinion , because when you go into the dealers they all say their tires are the best. Please advise.
Mark Says:
Replacing the tow vehicle tires is all about load ratings and keeping the tires properly inflated for the load you are towing. Do you know how much weight is being placed on the tires when the 5th wheel is hitched to the truck? That is the most important factor.
I personally use Michelin tires on my truck. My last set had well over 60,000 miles and if it wasn't for letting them get so much exposure to the sun they could have gone another 10,000 miles.
Here is what is important. When you go to replace the tires ask the tire dealer to show you the tire load and inflation tables for the replacement tires. Know how much weight is placed on your tires in advance and make sure the tires are capable of handling the weight. Look at the inflation pressure required for the amount of weight that will be on them, write it down somewhere and when you are towing the trailer make sure they are properly inflated for the load.
Regardless of the brand of tire you select double check the load range required and the inflation pressure for the load.
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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
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