RV University This Week 02/28/2011
- Monday, February 28 2011 @ 11:54 am 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 #92 - February 28, 2011
“Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore."
~Andre Gide
“Somebody ought to tell us, right at the start of our lives, that we are dying. Then we might live life to the limit every minute of every day. Do it, I say, whatever you want to do, do it now.”
~Michael Landon
by Mark Polk
Hi Everybody,
Well it's that time of year again. Time to shake the cobwebs off the RV and get it ready for another great camping season. Be sure and check out this week's feature article for my annual spring preparation checklist so you can get your RV ready to go.
Next week we will release episode 3 of "Mark's RV Garage" Thanks for all the great feedback, comments and questions for the new show. If you missed the 1st or 2nd episode just click HERE to view them right now.
Time to get back to work
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 Spring Tune-Up It’s that time of year again; time for my annual RV spring preparation checklist. If your RV has been sitting idle all winter you need to whip it back into shape for another camping season. At first glance this checklist looks like it would take two days to complete, but it’s actually something you can do on a Saturday afternoon when there’s nothing else to do............. Read the article
KOA KOMPASS:
RV Education 101 RV Quick Tip
– Maintaining your Awning Fabric
Check out this week's poll: "What type of insurance coverage do you have on your RV?"
To participate in the poll, look on the left hand column (here at RV University) towards the top
Fastway® Flip™ Wins Best New Product of 2010
The Fastway Flip was awarded the Best New Product of 2010 last week at the NTP Distribution show. The Flip jack foot eliminates the hassles of storing and stacking wood blocks, or finding a place to store a removable extension. There is no kneeling on the ground, because no springs, cables, or pins are required. Bolts quickly and easily to your existing jack, giving you an automatic 6” extension that locks into place when extended, and
folds up out of the way when retracted...........
Camping reservations for Memorial Day begin
The state parks division starts taking camping reservations Saturday for Memorial Day weekend in state parks and recreation areas..........
Not Your Granddad's Airstream
Interview with Airstream CEO Bob Wheeler about the continuing popularity
of the iconic trailer.
........
RV industry to continue rebound in 2011
Even somewhat higher fuel prices won't likely be enough to slow growth in the RV industry. In fact, RV shipments could increase 9 percent to 263,100 units from 242,300
units in 2010.........
by Mark Polk
Mark's RV Quick Tip for a Trailer:
Some people have the natural ability to back a trailer by simply using the mirrors on their tow vehicle. On the other hand, some people with the natural ability to back a trailer find it difficult to do when using mirrors. I know this sounds strange but it’s true. They feel that mirrors don’t show you what the trailer is actually doing, especially when you’re backing and a turn is required. The trick to backing without mirrors is to back in so the trailer turns towards the left side (driver’s side) of the vehicle. This way you can look out the window over your shoulder and see what the trailer is doing. Backing from the right side (passenger side) is the blind side. It is much more difficult and dangerous to back from the right side. If you notice almost every campground you stop at is designed to allow you to back into the site from the driver’s side. Using mirrors or not using mirrors is up to you. For safety reasons, it is always my recommendation whenever possible to have a spotter to assist you when backing.
Tow Your 5th Wheel Like a Pro
Trailer Towing, Weights, Hitch Work & Backing
Mark's RV Quick Tip for a Motorhome:
What Vehicles Can I Tow With Four Wheels Down?
Before you make the decision to tow a vehicle with all four wheels down you need to do your homework. There are some manufacturer approved vehicles that can be towed without any modifications to the drive-train or transmission, but there are a lot more that will require some type of modification to tow it with all four wheels on the ground. There are many factors involved such as automatic transmissions, two wheel drive vehicles, four wheel drive vehicles, the type of transfer case and more.
Most vehicles with an automatic transmission cannot be towed with all four wheels down unless it is a four wheel drive, and even then it requires a transfer case that can be shifted into neutral. Front wheel drive vehicles with manual transmissions and most four wheel drive vehicles with a manual transfer case are among the best choices for towing with all four wheels down. Even if you have a vehicle that can be towed with all four wheels down it’s quite possible that it will have towing speed and/or mileage restrictions.
Motorhome Towing
...with Mark Polk
Q. I just got an older Diesel Pusher with a modified sine wave inverter/charger (1500 watts).
I will be installing computers (laptop and/or desktop), a printer along with small chargers for phones and IPods and a new LCD TV.
Will I be better off getting a new pure sine wave inverter/charger or getting a smaller pure sine wave inverter just for those appliances that need that more conditioned power?
Thanks for any help
Mark Says:
Yes, with your plans for using a computer or other sensitive electronic equipment you may want to consider upgrading to a true sine wave inverter, or as you mentioned getting one just for those items.
Modified sine wave inverters will power most types of appliances, but as you already are aware the down side to modified sine wave inverters is that some electronic equipment will not run on this waveform. And you may get some electrical noise or a snowy picture on your TV screen.
True or pure sine wave inverters are capable of running all appliances and electronic equipment the way they are intended to. Microwaves, motors and other inductive loads will run quieter and will not overheat, and electrical noise will be reduced.
RV Education Crossword Puzzle
This play and learn crossword puzzle is "Fresh RV Water".
Have fun, play and learn.
Let RV Education 101 help you save money in 2011
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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
RV Insurance-Consignment Coverage: In today’s economy more and more RVers are looking at consignment contracts with RV dealerships as an option to sell their RV. The typical RV insurance policy may not provide coverage for your RV while it is in the possession of an RV dealership; in fact, many policies specifically exclude coverage for RVs being sold on consignment.......
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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. ........
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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.
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"
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This online RV training program includes an RV orientation video similar to the walk-through class you receive at the RV dealership. The RV Orientation video is 54 minutes long and is packed with information on topics like campground setup, the LP gas system, water system, wastewater system, electrical system, RV appliances, RV accessories and much more. We even added a bonus chapter on RV safety features, and some bloopers to make it more entertaining. The video is generic and covers all types of RV’s including motorized and towable RV’s. If your RV dealer does not offer this online RV training program you can purchase it here
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Money Saving DVD Sets Available
5th Wheel Training DVD Sets
Travel Trailer Training DVD Sets
Class A Training DVD Sets
Class C Training DVD Sets
17 RV Single DVD Titles in our Library An Introduction to RV's
Pop Up 101
Travel Trailer 101
Class A Motor Home 101
Class C Rental / Owner
RV Awning Use, Care and Accessories
RV Safety Features, Tips and Tricks
Winterizing & Storing your RV
EZ RV Add Ons and Must Have RV Products
Tow Your 5th Wheel Like a Pro
Trailer Towing, Weights, Hitch Work & Backing
Drive Your Motorhome Like a Pro
Motorhome Towing
RV Campground Basics
Marks Recommended 10 minute RV Essential Items
Deep Cycle Battery Care & Maintenance for RV's and Boats
RV Care and Maintenance
15 RV Instant Download E-Book Titles in our Library
The Original Checklists for RVersWinterizing and Storing your RV
THE RV BOOK now available as an ebook
The Three Primary Systems of an RV
Insider's Guide to Buying an RV
RV Buyers Survival Guide
Trailer Towing, Weights, Hitch Work & Backing
A Collection of RV Tips
Pop-Up Basics 101
Dinghy Towing
Deep Cycle Battery Care and Maintenance
RV Awning Use and Care
RV Safety Features, Tips and Tricks
RV Care and Maintenance
RV Campground Basics
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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 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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Happy Camping,
Mark & Dawn
RV Education 101
150 Bay Ridge Rd
Harrells, NC
28444-8896
910-484-7615
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