RV University this Week E-News Issue 121

RV University this Week

Learning RVs the Easy Way

by RV Education 101

U of RV Journal #121

28 November 2011

From the industry leader in RV Education Inside this Issue:  Mark’s Editorial (Pg 2)  This Week’s Q & A (Pg 5)  This Week’s RV News (Pgs. 7 & 8)  Article “Cost Effective RV Fun” (Pg. 9)  Feature Article “Maximizing your RV Mirrors” (Pg 10)  This Week’s RV Buzz Quick Tips (Pg 12)  Article “Finally a Towing Standard” (Pg 14)  Fun RV Trivia (pgs. 16 & 17)  RV How-To Videos for the Do-It-Yourselfer (Pg 18)

 RV Play & Learn Crossword “RV Fresh Water” (Pg 19)

Your RV University Weekly E-newsletter is here!

Hi Folks, I hope everybody had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.

I think Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, and I enjoy the fall season as well. The only downfall is that lots of RV owners prep their RV for winter storage about this time of the year. For some folks it is understandable when snow is piling up and it’s difficult to keep a car on the road let alone an RV. But for other RV owner’s fall and winter can be a great time to get out and use the RV. When you think about putting the RV in storage remember my slogan, “Just RV It.” It may be necessary to winterize the RV plumbing system, but that doesn’t always prevent you from using the RV. There have been many winters when I winterized and de-winterized our RV 2 or 3 times so we could go camping.

During my years as an RV sales manager I remember feeling kind of disappointed when I would see a five or six year old RV that only had 6 or 8 k miles on it. I know it’s difficult for some people to get time off to use their RV, but I also think there are many times you could use it, but don’t.

My goal is to encourage people to get out and use their RV’s. It doesn’t matter if it’s a weekend, a long holiday weekend or the trip of a lifetime.

I have an RV friend, Adauto, who lives in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil who I stay in touch with. He does a great job translating our e-mails when we correspond.

Adauto started an RV club and really promotes RVing among its members.

Recently he sent me a map and some photographs of their last big RV trip.

When he says big he means big. From start to finish it was over 7,300 miles. And they just left on another 40 day RV trip to the Brazil Country Interior. I am including more on Adauto’s trip on the next page.

Until next week, plan your trip, travel safe and enjoy your RV experiences.

Remember, getting there is half the fun!

Mark 2

Adauto’s RV Trip Some Interesting Background Information: I thought you would enjoy hearing more about my RV friend in Brazil.

Adauto bought his first motorhome in 2007. Until that time he had a travel trailer. All of his RV trips were in Brazil and South America. He is planning an RV trip in the USA next year. In 2013 his plans are for a European RV trip.

Adauto explained that in the past it was less expensive to own and maintain a travel trailer, because a travel trailer was cheaper (he owned a used one) and the family vehicle was appropriate to tow it. Motorhomes are expensive and there is an added necessity; another car to tow behind it.

He told me a motorhome in Brazil is very expensive. A 9 meter (30 ft)/ 150 hp diesel motorhome (new) costs around US $230,000. A 11 meter (36 ft) /280 hp is close to US $350,000. Prices are high due to taxes and low demand.

Adauto said he thought Brazil’s yearly motorhome production is currently less than 300 units, and that production is increasing, but it will take decades to reach acceptable prices.

He continued to explain that in Brazil the travel trailer industry collapsed after the 80s due to a new driver’s license requirement (E category) to tow a travel trailer. It wasn’t a problem for him because he was young and already had a D License. But for others, normally people over 50 years old, it was a big disaster. It was not possible for these people to take a E driving license; they had a B License. This resulted in all of the travel trailer traditional industries closing, except one, Motortrailer do Brasil. But this year the law was modified, bringing back the old B category license requirement to tow a trailer, thus rescuing the travel trailer industry.

Last year Adauto and his family left on December 18th for what would be a 7,300 mile plus RV trip. This year they left on November 26th for a 40 day RV trip to the Brazil interior.

More > 3

Adauto’s RV Trip Camping San Rafael Punta Del Este

Getting Ready to Go

Adauto’s RV Route

Very Cool

Argentine Motorhome

European Tourist in Chile

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This Week’s RV Bulletin Board Continuity gives us roots; change gives us branches, letting us stretch and grow and reach new heights. ~Pauline R. Kezer

Question: When it comes to leveling an RV I read this somewhere, "We don't need perfection, but try to get within about a half inch from one side to the other�

The quote was referencing leveling the RV from side to side. Does the author mean half an inch on the level, as in raising the level half an inch to reach the level mark?

Answer: There are primarily two reasons for leveling an RV. 1) It must be fairly level for the refrigerator to work properly.

2) You don't want to feel like you are in one of those carnival fun houses when you move around inside.

Here is how I like to explain it. The bubble in the level you are using does not have to be perfectly centered between the lines on the level. If the bubble is touching one of the lines on either side the RV is level enough. When the bubble is touching one of the lines on either side it is approximately 1/2" out of level, which is acceptable.

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RV 101 Christmas Specials

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RV News for the RV Consumer Protect the RV Home Mortgage Interest Deduction- Earlier this month a proposal from the members of the Super Committee (Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction) included the elimination of the second home mortgage interest deduction (MID).

NOW is the time to act to ensure the MID is not included in the final plan, or any future tax reform plan. Click to take action now through RV ACT.

Freightliner Custom Coach Corporation (FCCC) offers RV service discounts during the slow season. If you have a Freightliner chassis, and your RV travels take you close to FCCC headquarters in Gaffney SC, Freightliner offers RV owners discounts on RV service during the slow season. They have hook-ups at no charge to customers and you can go sightseeing while the RV is getting worked on.

Discount ed service dates Dec. 2011 thru Feb 2011 More Information>

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.

Click for info

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RV Insurance Corner Sponsored by RV Insurance Corner

Specialty RV Coverage’s There are a number of specialty coverage’s available, designed to protect you and your property. Specialty RV coverage’s are what differentiates RV policies from auto policies.

Adding your RV to your auto policy is inadequate because it fails to cover many of the things included in a specialty RV policy. For example, most RV insurance provides coverage for awnings, furniture, permanently installed items and fixtures, and plumbing and electrical systems unique to RVs. Typical RV policies also provide unlimited towing and roadside labor coverage. Auto policy towing coverage is often inadequate for RV expenses. With most auto policies, the towing reimbursement is usually on a per occurrence basis. Because the fees to tow an RV or to change an RV tire are much higher than the same for an auto, these fees often exceed the per occurrence limits on an auto policy.

Another consideration for RV owners is that they get the benefit of specialized claims service when they choose to insure their RVs with specialty RV insurance as opposed to having RVs put on auto policies.

The adjusters assigned to claims by insurance companies with specialty RV products usually have expertise with RVs, losses to RVs, and settling the value of the loss.

This week’s RV poll question is: This Week’s RV Poll

Have you ever spent Christmas in your RV? Click here to participate in this RV poll

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Cost Effective Weekend RV Fun Sometimes spending your weekend at home is just plain boring. There really isn’t much to do, but on the other hand you don’t have much time before the weekend is over and it’s back to work again. How about a weekend RV getaway close to home? Not only can a quick RV trip alleviate the boredom, but it is cost effective too. A 200 mile, or less, round trip from home won’t cost much in fuel, food or campground fees and it might be just what the doctor ordered for some well deserved relaxation and time to recharge.

Read the full article> 9

This Week’s Feature Article

Proper mirror adjustment is probably the most important part of preparing to tow or drive your RV. Did you know that almost 30 percent of the hazards you encounter come from the rear? This is why getting the maximum viewing area from your tow vehicle or RV mirrors is so critical. Let’s take a look at my top 7 tips for maximizing your mirrors.

For the most part, there are two types of mirrors commonly found on motorhomes; the type that extend out in front of the motorhome on long arms, and the type that are fixed to the sides of the motorhome. I will be discussing both types of mirrors in this article.

Read the Article>

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RV Driving & Towing Resources

Drive your Motorhome Like a PRO DVD

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Tow your 5th Wheel Like a PRO DVD Travel Trailer Towing & Backing DVD

Learn everything you need to know about driving or towing an RV at a fraction of the cost of driving schools.

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RV Buzz Quick Tips RV Buzz Tip #1

For the most part there are two types of awning fabrics, vinyl and acrylic. Acrylic fabric is a woven cloth that lets air circulate through the fabric. Avoid scrubbing acrylic awning fabric.

Scrubbing can remove the water retardant finish. For stubborn stains blot the awning cleaner on the fabric and rinse off.

RV Buzz Tip #2 It always amazes me how many people you see adding air to their tires when they pull off the interstate to refuel. You should never add air to tires when they are hot, hot air expands & you get false pressure reading. Always check and add air to the tires when they are cold, before traveling more than one mile.

Click to download an RV Tire Care & Use Brochure RV Buzz Tip #3 The weight rating on a vehicle’s receiver indicates the maximum amount of weight the receiver itself is rated for. Your tow vehicle may be rated to tow 7K pounds, but if the hitch receiver on the vehicle is rated at 5K pounds that is the most you can tow. Never exceed the lowest weight rating in the system.

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Finally a Towing Standard on the Horizon

What is J2807 and why is it important? If you haven’t heard, SAE J2807 is a standard that will be used to determine the trailer weight rating of all tow vehicles.

I don’t always agree with mandated standards, government or otherwise, but there is one standard looming out there that I am highly in favor of.

That standard is called “Performance Requirements for Determining Tow Vehicle Gross Combination Weight Ratings and Trailer Weight Ratings,” or in shorter terms Society of Engineers (SAE) standard J2807.

Read Article>

To learn more about this product click to watch the video

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On the Lighter Side, 10 things you never do with your RV I thought it would be fun to lighten things up a bit and talk about some things you should never do with your RV! Some of these are just plain old common sense, some you learn the hard way and some… well; you just don’t do it with an RV! Here is my list of what not to do with your RV starting with #10 10) While traveling on the interstate see what your top speed is in your RV. 9) Assume you can fit under that two lane road bridge that doesn’t have the height posted.

8) Wait until next week to winterize the RV when the current temperature is below 30 degrees.

7) Attempt to empty the holding tanks when your sewer hose almost reaches the campground sewer drain connection.

6) Loan your brand new RV to your best friend for a week. You might be looking for a new best friend.

5) Back the RV into the campsite hoping there is nothing behind you.

4) Take your 35 foot RV on the scenic mountain parkway where the posted sign reads “No RV’s over 25 feet allowed” Trust me on this one!

3) Take your brand new RV on a hunting trip with all the guys, trust me on this one too!

2) Believe the RV salesman who says, you’re truck can pull anything on this lot!

And #1 if you read “My First Real RV Adventure” article you will remember when you are camping in bear country you never put your trash bags outside the camper door! ~RV101

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Some Interesting RV Trivia & History How did RVing get started in America?

I personally think it can be attributed to when the American automobile industry embraced assembly line production. By the end of 1913 the time it took to assemble a Model T chassis was cut from 12.5 hours to just 2.7 hours. Early in 1914 the construction of the entire automobile was completed on Ford’s moving assembly line. By 1916 the price dropped to $360 dollars . Reducing the assembly time and using interchangeable parts drastically cut production costs, making the Model T affordable to the average working middle class family. In 1916 sales exceeded 472,000.

Soon autocamping would become a well known term. Autocamping was basically loading your automobile with extra clothes, food, blankets and camping supplies, and heading to the country in search of the perfect picturesque getaway to set up camp. It was an alternative to other vacations. It was recreation. Autocamping quickly spread across America.

People could travel with cooking and camping equipment in their vehicle and avoid riding on trains and staying in overcrowded hotels. This was the great appeal of autocamping which in my opinion lead to the craze that we know of as RVing today.

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Some Interesting RV Trivia & History A Funny Story about Henry Ford You may have heard me tell this story before, but I think it is worth repeating. It was quite common to see Ford and his friends pictured in the newspaper, autocamping alongside the road enjoying nature and good company. It was said during one camping excursion on a rainy day, the Lincoln touring car with Harding, Ford, Edison, Firestone and Luther Burbank got stuck in the mud on a road in West Virginia.

Ford sent his chauffeur off looking for help, and he returned with a farmer driving an old Model T. After the Lincoln was pulled from the mud Henry Ford extended his hand, to shake the farmer's hand. "I guess you don't know me but I'm Henry Ford. I made the car you're driving." Firestone chimed in, "I'm the man who made those tires." At that point he introduced two of his fellow campers: "Meet the man who invented the electric light, and the President of the United States." Luther Burbank was the last person to shake the farmer’s hand. "I guess you don't know me either?" he asked.

"No," said the farmer, "but if you're the same kind of liar as these other darn fools, I wouldn't be surprised if you said you was Santa Claus."

The famous Ford Model T

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U of RV “How To” Videos

Click Here to Play RV Battery Tech Talk

Some practical tech talk on RV Batteries

Click Here to Play Control Gray Water Odors

How-To Control Gray Water tank Odors

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Play & Learn RV Crossword Puzzle

Click To Play

Fresh Water Crossword Puzzle R U RV educated ??

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U of RV E-Newsletter

Well that wraps up another U of RV e-newsletter. We hope you enjoyed this week’s edition and keep a look out in your mailbox for next week’s RV news.

We want our e-newsletters to be fun & enjoyable to read, but more importantly we want them to be educational. If there are topics you would like to see in future issues e-mail me at Mark@rveducation101.com and let me know what they are. We’ll see you right back here again next week. Until then Happy RV Learning Mark & Dawn Polk

ENJOY YOUR RV: Don’t give up on your dreams of exploring the country in your RV; instead plan to make your dreams come true. You worked hard to buy the RV, now you need to work just as hard on enjoying your RV. Plan your RV trip, load it up, hook it up, fuel it up and…

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General & Unsubscribe Our goal with this RV e-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 1999 to start my own company, RV Education 101.

We produce RV educational videos, DVDs and e-books on how to safely & properly 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.

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 & a 16-foot vintage Yellowstone trailer . We have two boys, Tyler 14 and Josh 21, both avid RVers and three dogs, Roxie, Gracie and Buck.

Copyright , Mark J. Polk except where indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved worldwide. Reprint only with permission from copyright holder(s). All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All content provided as is. Not all content may be the opinion of the e-newsletter editorial staff or RV Education 101.

Advertisers are solely responsible for ad content. To subscribe please visit our sign up page. All RV Education e-newsletters are opt-in e-newsletters, delivered by subscription only. We neither use nor endorse the use of spam. Your e-mail address will only be used to distribute RV Education 101 e-news and will never be sold or given to any other entity.

If you would like to learn more about us and RV Education 101 please visit www.rveducation101.com RV Education 101 150 Bay Ridge Rd. Harrells, NC 28444 910-484-7615 Contact: Mark@rveducation101.com Dawn@rveducation101.com Don’t Miss a Single Episode of Mark’s RV Garage

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2011 Media Kit

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