by RV Education 101

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)

U of RV Journal #121 28 November 2011

Learning RVs the Easy Way

From the industry leader in RV Education

RV University this Week

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

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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 >

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Adauto’s RV Trip

Getting Ready to Go Camping San Rafael

Punta Del Este

Argentine Motorhome European Tourist in Chile

Very

Cool

Adauto’s

RV Route

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?

This Week’s RV Bulletin Board

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 Education 101 Christmas Special

Now through 20 December 2011 all single DVDs & DVD Box Sets in our RV

training library are 10% off. Surprise the RVer on your list with a gift that keeps

on giving. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

6

RV 101 Christmas Specials

Great

Stocking

Stuffers

BUY NOW>

RV News for the RV Consumer

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

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).

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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.

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

More Information>

RV Insurance Corner

Sponsored by

This week’s RV poll question is:

Have you ever spent Christmas in your

RV?

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.

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This

Week’s

RV Poll

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.

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>

This Week’s Feature Article

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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>

RV Driving & Towing Resources

Drive your Motorhome Like a PRO DVD

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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Save 10% on all

DVDs with

your Christmas

discount now!

RV Buzz Quick Tips

RV Buzz Tip #1

RV Buzz Tip #2

Click to download an RV Tire Care & Use Brochure

RV Buzz Tip #3

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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.

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.

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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Over 998,000 Views

Finally a Towing Standard on the Horizon

To learn more about this product click to watch the video 14

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>

On the Lighter Side, 10 things you never do with your RV

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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

Some Interesting RV Trivia & History

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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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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."

Some Interesting RV Trivia & History

The famous Ford Model T

U of RV “How To” Videos

Click Here

to Play

Some practical tech talk

on RV Batteries

Click Here

to Play

How-To Control Gray Water tank Odors

18

RV Battery Tech Talk

Control Gray Water Odors

Fresh Water Crossword Puzzle

Play & Learn RV Crossword Puzzle

Click

To Play

19

R U

RV educated

??

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…

U of RV E-Newsletter

20

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.

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If you would like to learn more about us and RV Education 101 please visit

www.rveducation101.com

RV Education 101

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910-484-7615

Contact:

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Dawn@rveducation101.com

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2011 Media Kit

www.koa.com

www.campingworld.com

www.equalizerhitch.com

www.dicor.com

www.direclink.com

www.maxxair.com

www.valterra.com

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