RV University this Week Your weekly source for interesting RV articles, tips, tricks, video clips and advice
From the Industry Leader in RV Education: RV Education 101 U of RV Journal #105 - June 27, 2011
In addition to the show airing on our RV Videos on Demand website,you may embed the YouTube video on your blog, Facebook or website….help us spread the word!
"Mark's RV Garage" Internet TV Series by RV Education 101 wins the 2011 Telly Award!
The Telly Awards honor the very best local, regional, and cable television commercials and programs, as well as the finest video and film productions, and work created for the Web.
360 RV SIPHON If you have been RVing for awhile you have probably experienced holding tank odors in your RV at one time or another. This is quite common. Holding tanks in your RV are vented trough the roof to release the gasses into the atmosphere. The problem comes when a down draft creates higher air pressure in the holding tank and the only place for the gasses to go is to a low pressure area inside the RV. No amount of holding tank chemicals or tank cleaning is going to prevent these foul odors from entering your RV when there is a downdraft in the vent pipe.
I have tried lots of products with claims of solving these holding tank related odor problems, but I only found one that really solved the problem. It’s called the RV 360 Siphon. The RV 360 is a fume extractor and the way it works is by using wind from any direction or angle to keep the air pressure in the tanks lower than the air pressure in the RV. It doesn’t matter if you are parked or traveling, and whether there is a slight breeze or a high gusty wind, the RV 360 creates a low pressure drawing the gasses up and out of the vent pipe.
The RV 360 siphon quickly and easily replaces the original vent caps on your RV, or installs on new applications like our restoration project or roof replacements. Let me show you just how easy it is to install.
With no moving parts and its simple design the RV 360 Siphon will work effortlessly for many years to come. Just think, no more unpleasant holding tank odors seeping into the RV living space. What a small price to pay to solve a big problem. For more information or to purchase the RV 360 Siphon take a minute to visit www.360productsnorthamerica.com
Don’t leave home without it. ~ Mark Polk
Question: We went camping over the weekend and since then I have kept the fridge plugged in. While we were there camping and since returning everything in the fridge is frozen solid. I have adjusted the plastic clip that goes over the fins but it doesn't seem to do anything for adjusting the temperature. The cost to replace the fridge looks like a big ouch!! Any suggestions??!! Please and thank you.
Answer: You didn't mention a make or model for the refrigerator, but there are a couple things that you can try. You mentioned adjusting the thermistor on the fins of the refrigerator. When you make an adjustment by sliding it up or down on the fins you need to allow the refrigerator to return to room temperature and then cool it down again to see if there is a change in the temperature. I recommend using a thermometer in the refrigerator compartment to get accurate readings when you make adjustments. Try moving it down on the fins for less cooling.
If the thermistor is properly attached to the fins, the wires have a good connection, and there is no change after making adjustments there is a good possibility that it went bad and will need to be replaced. On newer refrigerator models when a thermistor fails the refrigerator goes into a constant cooling mode, freezing everything in the refrigerator compartment. Thermistors aren't very expensive and most are fairly easy to replace, but you will need to adjust the new one as well.
RV Buzz Quick Tip:
Every single component in a towing system has a weight rating. This includes the vehicle, the receiver on the vehicle, the hitch, hitch balls, ball mounts and safety chains and cables. Never exceed the lowest rated component in the towing system. This applies to a truck towing a trailer and a motorhome towing a dinghy.
Trivia question about Mark:
How many RVers has Mark helped educate since starting RV Education 101 in 1999?
a) Less than 100,000
b) More than 250,000
c) More than 500,000
Answer b): RV Education has helped educate over 250,000 RVers since 1999
Never Leave Home Without....by Mark
When we travel by RV we sometimes take important personal items like an iPod, digital camera, car keys, jewelry, and important documents. Losing any of these items can end up being very expensive! It’s also common for thieves to target RV’s and other locations like beaches, hotel rooms and gyms where it’s impossible to always keep an eye on everything.
The good news is for less than half the cost of a digital camera you can protect all of your valuables, no matter where it may be. The way to do it is with a product called MY Safe. There is the portable smart safe and the personal smart safe.
The Portable Smart Safe model works great in the RV. It combines a strong combination lock with a sophisticated motion alarm. If the safe is tampered with while it is armed, a loud alarm goes off and draws lots of attention quickly!
The Personal Smart Safe works great in your home or office. It combines a heavy duty radial lock with a sophisticated motion alarm and steel attachment cable to keep your valuables exactly where you left them.
Regardless of the model you choose your valuables are protected. The unique motion alarm is added security to prevent thieves from stealing your valuables and the compact size makes it easy to conceal the safe in a drawer, closet, locker or under a bed. You can even recharge your battery powered devices while they are safely locked inside.
For more information or to purchase a my safe product visit www.xitel.com
By Mark Polk
RV Education 101 just made it easier for you to learn about YOUR RV! We took 6 of our individual DVD titles and put them together into a full set for you which is equal to over 5 hours of one on one instruction. You SAVE a significant amount of money with the set discount.
Mark said "After collecting a great deal of feedback from RVers who attend seminars all over the country I determined that live seminar presentations can not always offer numerous and sometimes cumbersome visual aids to effectively get the point across. That was the thought behind our new RV video seminar series. Seminars in video format allow me to present valuable information, using detailed graphics. It is the perfect solution to help educate the RV consumer."
After watching this complete Seminar Series set of 6 DVD's; by RV expert Mark Polk, you will master your own RV experiences. This counts as 1 item, so you only pay $5.95 for S/H! These titles are still available for purchase as single DVD's also.
"Dawn, I have been using the videos and getting your newletters and they have been godsends to a newbie like me. Please keep up the great work! I recommend your site to every RV'er I meet. Good news for your company is that whenever I mention your site, many already know about it. Looks like you're meeting the needs of a lot of people."
....Respectfully, Gary Brogna
Watch the RV Cooking Show: A virtual cooking class on wheels with an RV travel component, The RV Cooking Show takes viewers on adventures to some of the most sought-after or interesting but little-known RV locations in the country and then creates a healthy, easy, delicious destination-related dish in host Evanne Schmarder’s RV kitchen.Each less-than-10-minute episode - part travelogue, part cooking show - shares travel tips, ideas and recommendations on popular RVing locales and products then walks viewers through the preparation of a delicious destination-related dish. Past episodes include a tour of Albuquerque’s 505 Chili Factory and Huevos Rancheros, Mojitos and the Fabulous Florida Keys and a salmon dinner in conjunction with the spectacular Olympic National Park.Viewers have the option of watching the RV Cooking Show on YouTube, various RV-related websites such as Camping.com and RVDreamRadio or on the RV Cooking Show website. So as not to miss a single savory episode, viewers may subscribe to the show on YouTube or on this website. An RV industry insider, full-time RVer Ms. Schmarder connects with viewers in part by "living the (their) RV dream". She is a professional speaker, writer, foodie and unabashed explorer.
Thanks for joining me today in my RV garage. Travel safe and have fun in your RV and remember when it comes to learning about RV’s we’ve got you covered. Be sure to take a minute and visit www.rvconsumer.com and we’ll see you right back here next on our next episode of marks RV garage.
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The 2011 Via® With its introduction, the Winnebago Via® created the exclusive Mercedes-Benz® Sprinter-based Class A category and revolutionized the definition of what a Class A coach could be with unparalleled fuel economy and eye-catching styling. For 2011, the revolution continues and the Via shines even brighter with a host of improvements, including the all-new double-slide 25Q floorplan, an improved design of the Flex Bed Sleeping System featured on the popular 25T and a more powerful Mercedes-Benz diesel engine that provides improved fuel economy. The Class A revolution is here. Join in with your very own 2011 Winnebago Via.
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.
Dometic
RV products are designed with your comfort in mind. With over 80 years in the RV industry, Dometic has become a leader in manufacturing innovative, high-quality RV products that enhance the living space in your RV, motorhome or coach.
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....
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
We also offer RV Dealer bulk discounts on our training materials. Our Walk through DVDs have helped tens of thousands of RV consumers learn how to properly operate and maintain their RVs. Hundreds of RV dealers across the country are benefiting from what our program has to offer the customer oriented RV dealership. Contact Dawn today for your RV dealership pricing: dawn@rveducation101.com
Go for the RV Gold Program
The Go For the RV Gold program is loaded with one-on-one RV training videos, feature articles, RV tips, crossword puzzles, member discounts for RV services and RV products, quizzes, and much more. This is the only online RV training program that will teach you everything you need to know about your RV at such a reasonable cost, and totally at your leisure with no deadlines. There are customized worksheets provided for navigation, so nothing is missed or overlooked. There is a space provided for you to make notes for each topic and then a feature to print the worksheet when completed.
At the end of the program there is a 25 question final exam. If you pass the final exam (you need a 72% or higher score) you will receive your “Go for the RV Gold” training certificate that you that you can proudly display in your home or RV. P.S. If you don’t pass the final exam, you will be given an opportunity to take it again until you do pass, so you can receive your Go for the RV Gold certificate.
National Interstate Insurance company offers a 5% safe driver discount when you successfully complete the “Go for the RV Gold” program. Just present your “Go for the RV Gold” certificate of completion to an authorized National Interstate Insurance agent.
The membership fee is only $49.95 per month for 3 months. Billing is on a 30 recurring basis until the final payment is made. This equates to only $12.49 for each in-depth weekly RV training course. When you select the recurring billing payment option you receive the a new RV training module each month. You can’t beat this low pricing for one-on-one RV education training in the comfort of your own home or RV. There is no driving to get to the training location, no packed classrooms and no time restraints.
Note: There is second payment option available where you can pay the full $149.85 program price in one payment. If you select this payment option you will receive all 3 RV modules (12 weekly courses) at one time, after payment and registration.
This program compliments our current line of RV Education 101 training dvds!
3 payments of $49.95 or a 1 time payment of $149.85 Buy Now
Episode #1 of "Mark's RV Garage"
Episode #2 of "Mark's RV Garage"
Episode #3 of "Mark's RV Garage"
Episode #4 of "Mark's RV Garage"
Episode #5 of "Mark's RV Garage"
Episode #6 of "Mark's RV Garage"
Episode #7 of "Mark's RV Garage"
Episode #8 of "Mark's RV Garage"
Episode #9 of "Mark's RV Garage"
Episode #10 of "Mark's RV Garage"
Episode #11 of "Mark's RV Garage"
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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 14 and Josh 20, both avid RVers and three dogs, Roxie, Gracie and Buck. If
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360 RV SIPHON
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