RV Education
101
RV Education 101 is a North Carolina based company that produces and sells
educational videos, DVDs and E-books on how to use RV’s. Mark Polk, the
owner, with his extensive background working for an RV dealership, stated he saw
a real need for the videos. “We would sell the RV and give the customer a
walk-through (or orientation, of the unit) but between the excitement and the
vast amount of information given in a short period of time they would only
retain maybe 20% of it”. “These videos give the customer something to refer back
to, and they can watch it in the comfort of their own home or at the
campground, as many times as they like, prior to venturing out with their new
RV. Just think about how many times it takes of hearing your favorite song
before you can even think about singing along? 16 or more times!!!!”
Mark J.
Polk was introduced to RV’s in the early 70’s. His friend’s father was the
General Manager for an RV dealership and would take them camping all of the
time. Before long he was working for the dealership washing RV’s, and soon after
that he was working as an apprentice RV technician.
Not long after graduating from high school Mark joined the Army and was a
wheeled vehicle and power generation mechanic. 5 ½ years later he graduated from
warrant officer school as an automotive maintenance technician and was in charge
of some very large maintenance operations throughout his career. He retired from
the Army in 1996 as a Chief Warrant Officer Three.
Chief Warrant Officer Three Mark Polk was awarded a
first place maintenance award from General Shelton. General Shelton later became
the 14th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and served two 2-year terms
under both President Bill Clinton and President George W. Bush.
At the time of this award, CW3 Mark Polk was
responsible for providing technical guidance and implementing policies to ensure
responsive repair and maintenance support for over 420 assigned major equipment
items valued in excess of 13 million dollars. Under Marks technical supervision
and guidance, Mark established the standard in his brigade for maintenance
excellence by winning first place in the Chief of Staff Army Maintenance
Excellence Competition in 1995.
Mark was honored to have worked under, and receive this
award from General Shelton, as General Shelton was given the
Congressional Gold Medal, the highest award the United States
Congress can bestow. General Shelton has been internationally recognized for his
public service and, in 2001, he was knighted by Queen
Elizabeth.
After retiring from the Army, Mark got back into
the industry that he had a passion for. He started out selling RVs for a
dealership in North
Carolina and was soon promoted to the sales and F&I
manager. Polk was concerned about the lack of education and awareness for the RV
consumer and while still working for the dealership, started his own company, RV
EDUCATION 101 in November 1999; until he could devote his full
attention to RV EDUCATION 101 in 2000.
Mark is a published RV writer. He has written monthly articles for RV
newsletters to include:
- RV Education 101 newsletter
- RVTV Newsletter
- Poulsbo RV Newsletter
- RV Family Circle of Trust Newsletter
- Camping World Newsletter
- RV Net
- FMCA
Mark has also written articles for RV consumer and trade publications
for:
- RV News
- RV Business
- RV Companion
- Pop-Up Times
- RV Free Wheelin’
- Trail Blazer
- RV Pro
- RVers Corner Newsletter
- Happy Camper Newsletter
- Campers Choice Newsletter
- Bella RV Newsletter
- Escapees
Mark also conducts seminars at RV Industry Shows and RV Retail shows.
Mark provided 4 seasons of the RV Savvy segments for RVTV which aired on the Outdoor Channel.
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Dawn Polk is Mark’s wife and is RV Education 101’s Sales and
Marketing director. Dawn’s background was in cosmetics ranging from a
featured make-up artist to an account manager for an international cosmetic
line. After 15 years in that industry she wanted a career change. She took a
position in RV sales. After 3 years in the RV industry she left her position to
help start RV Education 101.
Mark & Dawn have two boys, Tyler (now 13 and Josh now 19), both avid
RVers. Josh and Tyler both love to play baseball (especially
catch in the backyard with dad). They are forever asking when we can
“HIT THE ROAD” again.
Two dogs are also part of the Polk family, Gracie and Buck.
Gracie is the good one.
Tyler took the picture of Gracie, our West Highland White Terrier, and
Buck, an Australian Terrier, while we were set-up with their traveling pen at a
campground.
Mark and Dawn freelance for RV dealers in the area to keep
current with what is happening in the industry. They travel about 10,000 miles a
year in their 35-foot Class A motor home, and feel that there is not
enough emphasis placed on properly educating the RV consumer on the complexities
of owning and operating an RV. They would like to provide you with as much RV
information as possible.
Happy Camping!!
What viewers have to
say about the videos:
HI The 3 videos all arrived on Friday. I got a chance to see them all this weekend. They are fantastic. What a great idea they were.I have never been in a rv before so these will definitely be of use when I pick it up next month. I learned alot from them and feel comfortable now to take the rv out and not have stuff go wrong.
Thanks again, Nick Jensen….Canada
Wow! Wow! What service. Yes, I did open the E-Book
checklist and printed all the pages this morning. My husband is SOOO HAPPY!
. Thank you for such great service and consideration. This E-Book and
the Video will definitely help us in taking care of our motorhome. God Bless. Judith
Gage……Michigan.
“Wanted to let you
know that I’ve watched all 3 of the videos and will review the towing one again
before I take off. Very well done, I learned what I hoped I would learn and feel
better prepared for the upcoming trip.
How to set up the trailer and handle
trailer chores was also useful.
Mike Euritt…California
“Thank you again Mark for your help, you are a
wiz at explaining complicated things. As an owner of three of your videos, I am
a very satisfied customer. One of them was your video on towing a trailer that I
bought when I first got my Bantam – I’d never towed anything in my life and the
video gave me the extra confidence I needed to get started!! The other two were
travel trailer 101 and winterizing & storing.
All of the videos have
been a great help to me by both explaining the technical aspects of the camper,
as well as just taking the edge off of the fear of the unknown. Just seeing it
done with ease, makes me feel more confident that I can do it too. Also, I don’t
know of many business owners these days who will take the time to explain
something to their customers the way you have. I can’t give you enough praise.
P.S. Your products fill a great need. I’ll be sure to tell anyone I know who
needs advice to look up rveducation101.com! Nancy
Cote from Massachusetts….
“Hello to both of you, Dawn and Mark. My name is
Stephen Mason, and I live in New Jersey. As you both
know, when my wife and I went to pickup our TT, the dealer did a walk through
with us. And I did ask many questions. When we got home with the TT, I forgot
everything that they told me… I had to call the RV Dealer up a few times, and
ask many questions. And I kept getting a different person for a different
question. THEN the Asst. Service Manager, told me about your RV Education 101
web site. I hurried home and downloaded the 101 RV Tips E book. Wow, so much
good information. Then I said to my wife, if the E Book is this good, I wonder
how good the Tapes and DVD must be. Well, the next day I contact Dawn and order
3 tapes. When I received them in 3 days, I had to watch all of them. THEY ARE
GREAT and very informative. I want to take this time out and tell you both that
I am happy that we have people like you both to help people like me who know
nothing about anything and now learning a lot from your tapes. Again, thanks to
the both or you.
P.S. I also told the RV dealer that they should order the collection of all
your Tapes and DVD and I will pass your name around also
Steve…. New Jersey
“This is by far the best investment an inexperienced
or experienced RVer can make. I have been RVing for eight years and am not
afraid to admit that I thought I knew everything until I watched the Motor home
video. Thanks! J. WIlson
“I received my copy
of the RV video for travel trailers / 5th wheels and I must say that it was
excellent. It explains everything I have wondered about in regard to set up of
an RV. I thought Mark Polk was great in his explanation of all the systems. He
may not be “Hollywood”, but he’s a “star” in my book. Thanks for a fantastic way
to “know in advance what to expect, and be better prepared” for RV travel. I
can’t wait to get my 5th wheel and hit the road!” Sue
Younkin
I
just wanted to thank you for the
information on the video. I went ahead and purchased it for my friend (with a
Class B motor home) for Christmas and she loves it. She said all of the things
in the promo blurb were true. This, of course, means that I, too, will purchase
one to get a feel for all that is involved when the times comes.” Dana J.
“Just to let you know I got my Pop Up 101
video and was so pleased with the information and quality that went into it. I
bought a new Viking in March and have not been able to get it out as often as I
had hoped. I had so many questions that were answered in the video that now I
feel more than comfortable with the techniques I will be using when using it.
Thanks so much, keep up the good work!” Ed
Garcia
“Every RV owner should own this video. Sometimes people
don’t like calling the dealer every time they forget how something works. The
motor home video has so much information. It was well worth the money!” Nancy and Don
Kehoe.
Dear RV
Education 101,
We would like
to thank you for making such great products!
My husband and I recently purchased a Class C motorhome and with our
purchase we were given a copy of your DVD “Learning RV’s the
Easy Way, the DVD
pertaining to Class C operation†from our Dealer. This DVD was very
valuable. Being first time motorhome
owners, we had much to learn and your DVD helped to answer many of our
questions. As a result, we also
purchased your RV e-book “Checklists for
RV’ers†as well. We have printed it
and have it in a binder that we keep in the motorhome – what an important
tool! Your products will keep us from
having to learn things “the hard way!â€
P.S……..thank you for the wonderful customer
service. I think all businesses should take a lesson from you! There are so
many businesses today that just treat people like a number, not a human being.
I appreciated our conversation. Like I said before, it’s a big step up for us
(owning a Class C motorhome) and there is so much that you have to know! But
like the Mastercard ads, never having to go to the restroom in the woods again –
PRICELESS! I think the winterizing dvd would be GREAT! I will get that on
Tuesday. A big money saver, for sure! Again, thank you. If you and your family
are ever visiting Alaska, come and say hello!
Thank
you!
Happy
Customers
The
Welborn Family
Anchorage, Alaska
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101
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