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The RV Education 101 Newsletter
Learning RV’s the Easy Way by Video
Volume 28 – June 2006
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Quote of the Month
` If you study to remember, you will forget, but, if you study to understand, you will remember.’
~ unknown
Editorial by Mark
Hello Again Everybody,
Well we sure broke the new motorhome in! When we took delivery of the Bounder on the 3rd of May it had 610 miles on it. As of Memorial Day it had 3,632 miles on it, and we have several other trips planned with it this summer. I wouldn’t be telling the truth if I said I didn’t notice the impact that fuel prices had on my wallet as we accumulated those miles, but I still refuse to change my travel plans because of the cost of gasoline.
We began the month of May with a business trip to Arkansas and because we were so close to Louisiana we made it a point to go and visit our good friends Anne & Bob Pierson. They own the Happy Camper Half Price Camping Club https://www.camphalfprice.com/staticpages/index.php/intro_video and two RV resorts in Louisiana. Anne is also a fellow co-founder of the Circle of Trust RV Family www.circleoftrustrvfamily.org
We have worked closely with each other for several years through e-mail and by telephone, but never actually met until now. It was great meeting both Anne & Bob in person,and we had a wonderful time at their Shiloh Lake Bruin Resort located in Newellton Louisianawww.shilohrvresorts.com It is absolutely beautiful and if you’re ever in the area you definitely need to include it in your plans, especially if you enjoy Bass fishing! Louisiana also had some of the lowest gas prices ($2.64) throughout our trip, so needless to say I filled the Bounders tank to the brim before we left. Dawn and Anne had a great time getting some well deserved rest over the weekend, and enjoying each others company.
On our way to Arkansas we pulled into a rest stop to take a break and within a few minutes of parking another 2006 35E Bounder pulled in right beside us, small world huh. We got to know our new neighbors, Eileen & David Sweet, and compared notes on the Bounders and other traveling topics. Before we left we blocked traffic for a few moments to take this picture. The Sweet’s were on their way to New Mexico and we wish them safe travels.
We finished out the month of May at our favorite campground at the beach over Memorial Day weekend. We had a wonderful weekend and we set aside some time to honor our fallen comrades in arms who made the greatest sacrifice of all, for the freedom we all continue to enjoy today.
We have been working on our new shopping cart for a long time and on 5 June 2006 it officially went live on our website. Our old order form was just that “old” and frustrating to use. Our new cart will make your shopping experiences at our website much more pleasant. Please take a minute to check it out at www.rveducation101.com. The first 20 orders we receive, who type “newsletter” in the Order Comments and Special Requests box of our new order form will receive a Free U of RV bumper sticker along with their order.
May of 2006 is history now, but the memories of more wonderful RV experiences and friendships will continue to live on for a lifetime.
Enjoy the newsletter & happy camping,
Mark
Feature Article by Mark
Because we were traveling a good part of May I didn’t have the opportunity to write a feature article for this month’s newsletter. Since it won’t be long before the hot summer months arrive I thought a checklist on hot weather preventive maintenance from my Checklist for RVers E-book would be appropriate.
Hot Weather Preventive Maintenance Checklist (Chassis)
Certain measures need to be taken when using your RV in extremely hot weather. Before you load up and head out, take a few minutes to make the following checks. This can make the difference between a fun, trouble free trip and a not so fun, troublesome trip.
* Check your owner’s manual for routine and scheduled maintenance intervals. Service your unit as recommended.
* Check all fluid levels: engine oil, transmission, power steering, brakes, and windshield washer.
* Check air filter and replace as necessary.
* Check for any leaks: Look under the RV for any indications of leaks.
* Check radiator coolant: level, condition & concentration
* Check radiator hoses & clamps, hoses that are worn, cracked, soft or brittle indicate problems.
* Check heater hoses & clamps, hoses that are worn, cracked, soft or brittle indicate problems.
* Check belts, worn or cracked & for proper tension
* Check all lights for proper operation.
* Check wiper blades for wear & poor operation. Replace as required.
* Check battery state of charge, water level, cables & connections
* Check condition of tires: uneven wear, tread depth and for proper tire inflation
* Start engine, warm up & check all gauges for proper operation
* Check dash air for proper operation
* Check emergency kit to include a flashlight, extra batteries, jumper cables, first aid kit, basic hand tools, warning devices & cellular phone
Hot Weather Preventive Maintenance Checklist:(Coach)
* Test roof air conditioner(s) clean or replace A/C filters
* Test refrigerator in A/C & LP gas mode. Install a thermostatically controlled refrigerator vent fan for more efficient operation in hot weather.
* Strategically park your RV to take advantage of shade. This can make the refrigerator and roof A/C more efficient.
* Install Maxx Air vent covers over roof vents to allow ventilation, even when it’s raining.
* Check all awnings for proper operation.
* Check auxiliary battery(s) state of charge, water level, cables & connections.
* Check operation of generator under load. Check generator engine oil & all filters. It may be necessary to change oil with the manufacturers recommended oil viscosity for hot weather operation. Put the summer/winter preheat lever in the summer position (if equipped).
* Check all appliances, electric and gas, for proper operation.
* It may be necessary to add more chemicals when treating the black tank during hot weather camping.
* Check fire extinguisher, smoke alarm, carbon monoxide and LP leak detector
* Take all precautions when traveling with pets in hot weather. Never leave them inside a hot RV. Give them plenty of fresh water and ventilation.
Happy Camping,
Mark
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
You need to have a Flash Video Player to view the video clips. If you don’t have a Flash Player you can go here to download the latest version for free. https://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash&P2_Platform=Win32&P3_Browser_Version=MSIE
Low Bandwidth Version…. https://rveducation101.com/videostream/?clip=Fifthwheelhitchvideodialup
New Monthly Feature RV Education Crossword Puzzle
As an added bonus to our newsletter, each month we will feature, another fun way to learn about your RV, by a Crossword Puzzle. This month’s play and learn crossword puzzle is RV Refrigerator Efficiency 101.
RV Broadcasting Is RV Travel Radio – We Keep the Good Times Rolling!
Tune in to RV Broadcasting at https://rvbroadcasting.com/ and listen to our interview along with many of
these other familiar voices in the RV Industry.
- Cliff Boyd’s RV Songs-He Pulls ’em In At Branson
- A Chicago IBM Pro Explains Why He Chose RVing Over Big Bucks In The City
- Anne Pierson From Happy Camper discusses Blogs And How Important They Are!
- RV living in the 21st Century with Peggi McDonald
- RV Education 101 With Mark And Dawn
- Special RV Report From Infield At Nascar Tracks – Is It A Race Or Party or Both
- Chuck Woodbury From NewRVer.com-How To Buy A New RV
- What Are The Hot Selling RV Books-This May Be A Big Surprise!
- Reno’s Review -America’s Top Five Fun Festivals
- Bernice Beard-RVing To Alaska!
Contributed by Carol White…author of Live Your Road Trip Dream
Even though gas is at a record high of $3.00+ per gallon, most people are continuing to hit the road. Both AAA and RVIA find that we are just a travel-hungry society and we are going to still find ways to do our road trips.
We recently figured out that a 500-mile trip at 20 MPG will cost about $20 more this year than last – hardly enough to make us cancel our plans. Just skip a couple of morning latte’s or pack a picnic on your trip instead of eating out a couple of times and you’ve made up the difference!
Live Your Dreams!
Phil and Carol White
Live Your Road Trip Dream was one of three finalists and won the Benjamin Franklin Awards – Book of the Year for Excellence and Innovation in Marketing.
RVers Notebook Software
When we purchased our new motorhome I wanted some method to keep accurate records concerning the maintenance, expenses, weight information and other items for the motorhome and the vehicle we tow behind the motorhome. It never occurred to me that what I needed was right in front of me the whole time. We have been selling the RV Notebook Software on our website for quite some time now and it is exactly what I was looking for.
I entered all of the data about our motorhome and tow vehicle into the program last weekend at the campground and it does the rest. You can stay on top of service and maintenance records for multiple vehicles, track all of your expenses by category, maintain weight records, campground records and much more. I recommended it for RVers when I first reviewed the product a couple of years ago and now I can recommend it from a users view point too.
It is well worth $39.95 to have all of this information right at your fingertips whenever you want it or need it.
by Les Doll…a working certified RV technician & author of Dummys Guide to Buying a Pre-loved RV
As an RV Tech, I often get work orders that say, “Furnace won’t heat”, “Fridge doesn’t cool”, “Water heater not working”.
That’s like telling your auto mechanic that “My car won’t go!”
Valuable time is wasted when a few more details of the problem would eliminate much of the diagnostic time required… And, with shop rates well over $1.00 per minute, every second adds up!
This webtip is geared to help you when you take your RV in for service work:
It is important to give as much detail as you can so that the service tech can get right to the problem in as little time as possible.
For example:
“Furnace won’t heat”
Provide more detail …
“I turn the thermostat up but nothing happens …”
This is a very valuable clue and would lead the Tech to first check the power supply and the thermostat itself …
“I turn the thermostat up, the fan comes on, but no heat …” …
Again, a valuable clue – this eliminates the power supply and the thermostat as potential problems. The technician can narrow down the possibilities, without checking the power supply or the thermostat function … saving time and money!
Always give as much detail as you can to the service writer and insist that the information is included on the work order. You are paying for the technician’s time, so any time saved is money NOT out of your pocket.
How to inspect and evaluate a used motorhome the “PAINLESS” way
This 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.
BUY NOW $14.95
RV Adventure Travel Video Collection
by John Holod
Experience Travel destinations at their best! Buy this value box set and save $49.00!
1) Alaska’s Inside Passage DVD
2) The Last Great Road Trip: Alaska DVD
3) Baja RV Adventure DVD
4) Natural Wonders of the SE Coast DVD
5) Natural Wonders of the NE Coast DVD
5 DVD set
RV Travel Still On a Roll, Survey Shows…RVers Adjusting to Fuel Prices
Like many Americans, RVers are looking for ways to conserve fuel, but staying home this summer isn’t one of them. Reducing the distances they travel (45%) and spending more time in one place (52%) are the top ways RV owners will adapt to higher prices at the pump, according to the latest Campfire Canvass, a biannual survey of RV owners by the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA).
https://rvia.org/Media/newsreleases/breakingnews/p0625.htm
Consumer feedback about RV Education 101 products
Dear RV Educators –
I recently ordered and received from you the “Complete Travel Trailer/Fifth Wheel 4-Disc DVD Value Pack” and I love the information I’ve found in it. As someone new to RVing, I have been trying to learn as much as possible about my new travel trailer before I take delivery of it (May 23!!) and have been watching and re-watching your very informative DVDs so that everything will (hopefully) “sink in” and become second nature to me.
Thanks.
Judy Cheron
https://rveducation101.com/trainingvideos.htm?siteID=0
This is a sign we saw when we were leaving a campground just outside of Little Rock Arkansas. It’s a good thing I saw it because I forgot Dawn and both dogs!!
Campground Cooking By Pat Watson
Taco Meatloaf
This is a great way to serve meatloaf–“taco-style”!! The meatloaf can be prepared ahead of time at home, then taken to the campground. Whether you are camping in an RV or a tent, this recipe is great warm or cold. Enjoy!
2 lbs. ground chuck
2 eggs
1 cup chunky salsa
1 (1.25 oz) pkg taco seasoning
1 cup crushed Cheese or Taco-flavored “Doritos” chips
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
Toppings as desired
In a large bowl, combine all ingredients with your hands and shape into a meatloaf. Place in a baking pan sprayed with nonstick cooking spray (a 9×13 in. cake pan works great). Bake at 350 degrees for 1 1/2 hours, or until cooked throughout. To serve, place a slice of meatloaf on a plate. Top as desired with shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, cheese, salsa, sour cream, or olives. A side of Spanish rice and tortilla chips makes this meal complete.
TIP: Cut meatloaf in half after cooking 1 hour, and spread the two halves about an inch apart; continue cooking about 1/2 hour. This helps cook the middle without the outside getting too done.
by Peggi McDonald,
*One friend uses EMPTY BEER BOXES TO KEEP TOWELS/FACE CLOTHS neatly in place. She covers the cases with sticky vinyl shelving paper.
*WALL-MOUNTED RACKS AND BOOKSHELVES provide magazines and maps with a special place while eliminating clutter.
*A wide variety of HOLDERS that attach to the wall are available to hold remote controls, alarm clocks, drinks and much more. Look in the dollar and discount stores, reduced furniture places and thrift shops for these extras.
*PLASTIC FILE HOLDERS fit neatly into spaces under the RV dash or on the passenger side of your tow vehicle. These make a super spot to store maps and campground directories.
*To extend inside space, friends built a SHALLOW CABINET COMPLETE WITH CASTERS that nestles beside the table during transit and along a blank wall when the slide is extended – perfect for serving trays, photos albums and games etc.
About RV LIVING IN THE 21ST CENTURY
Peggi has taken the best of her internationally-acclaimed first book and has revamped and updated it to reflect the changing technology and rules in post-9/11 North America. 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.
USFS provides summer fire prevention safety tips
With the current drought conditions all over the country these fire prevention tips, provided by the United States Forest Service, are great information for everyone.
You can never know enough about tire safety and tire maintenance, especially if you own an RV. Go here for some good information on tires.
Happy Camper Half Price Camping Club
Join us at our new fun, FREE blog site – designed to give the RV community a place to share stories and pictures of their trips.Help us fill the site with wonderful stories about RVing – YOUR trips, YOUR words, and YOUR pictures. The site is syndicated for publication on radio, in magazines, and online – so you may even get your stories published!
come join in on the fun… https://www.rvscrapbook.com
Start your half-price discount camping privileges today:
Not already a member? Join 1/2 price camping today at https://www.camphalfprice.com/index.php?ref=15
Class A Motorhomes Have Taken a Backseat to Travel Trailers
Class A Motorhomes Have Taken a Backseat to Travel Trailers as the Most Popular Type of RV Searched on RVTraderOnline.com…https://www.rvnewsdaily.com/article.php/rvtrader
Hot! RV DVD Value Packs Hot!
We just made it easier for you to learn about YOUR RV! We took our individual Travel Trailer and Motorhome DVD titles and put them in sets with other titles from our library that apply. There are three value packs to choose from and each value pack includes four RV training DVD’s, which equates to almost three hours of one-on-one RV instruction. Not only does this eliminate the guess work as to which DVDs should go together, but you also SAVE a significant amount of money with the value set discount. After watching this complete RV DVD value set by RV expert Mark Polk, you will master your own RV experiences. Another great thing is this only counts as one item, so you only pay $4.95 for S/H!
The 3 value sets currently available are: Class A Motorhome, Class C Motorhome & Travel Trailer/5th Wheel. Each set includes 4 DVDs. Get your RV DVD value set today!
The RV Book by Mark J. Polk NEW in 2006!
The RV Book is your personal guide to understanding and enjoying your RV. “RV Expert” Mark Polk turns complex into easy, making your entire experiences safe, fun & stress free. RV’s give us the freedom to go wherever we want, whenever we want. But, nothing will ruin a trip or a vacation quicker than not understanding how to properly use and maintain your RV.
Mark Polk, the author of The RV Book said “Buying an RV is a major investment and it can be overwhelming when just starting out. In the book I tried to touch on all aspects of RV ownership; from selecting and buying the right RV to setting it up at your favorite campground. What type of RV is right for you? How do you tow or drive an RV? How do you safely use an RV? How do you take care of your new RV? I have researched and gathered all of this information, into one place, to simplify the entire process of RV ownership. Whether you own an RV now, or you are getting ready to purchase one in the future, I know that by reading The RV Book you will feel more comfortable about using an RV.”
For Pop-Ups, Travel Trailers, Motorhomes and everything in between. After 20 years of fulltime RVing, I still discovered new information while reading The RV Book. Mark’s book is so well written and informative… he patiently explains each basic necessity that every RVer should be aware of to assure safe operation of their RV. -Peggi McDonald, author of RV Living in the 21st Century
Price $19.95 Buy Now!
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 9 and Josh 15, both avid