by RV Education 101

Inside this Issue: Mark’s Editorial (Pg 2)

This Week’s Q & A (Pg 3) This Week’s RV News (Pgs. 5-6)

Feature Article “Polk’s Top 10 RV Buying Tips” (Pg 7) This Week’s RV Buzz Quick Tips (Pg 9)

Article “How to Extend the Life of your Engine” (Pg 11) RV How-To Videos for the Do-It-Yourselfer (Pg 14)

RV Play & Learn Crossword “Cold Weather RVing” (Pg 15)

U of RV Journal #119 14 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 would like to start off by thanking everybody who commented on our new

e-news format. I think the over-all consensus was the format is acceptable

with a few minor modifications. The biggest complaint we received was the

black lettering on the gray background, and links being difficult to view. I

agree on both counts and we will work on improving the new format as me

move forward.

I think one of our readers summed it best saying, “I thought the newsletter

was very well done and the format appealing to the eye. But it really is the

content that you provide that is important.”

All of your feedback & comments are greatly appreciated.

In a couple of weeks I’ll be heading to the 49th National RV Trade Show in

Louisville, Ky. I always look forward to seeing new products , getting current

updates on the “state of the RV industry”, seeing old friends and networking

with industry colleagues. I will update you on what I see and hear at the

show.

Remember: Don't give up on your dreams of exploring the country in your

RV; instead plan to make your dreams come true. Plan your RV trip, load it

up, hook it up, fuel it up and

Keep an eye out next week for our “RV How-To” e-news special edition.

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

Remember, getting there is half the fun!

Mark Polk

2

The moment one gives close attention to any thing,

even a blade of grass, it becomes a mysterious,

awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself.

~Henry Miller

Question: We purchased a 29' travel trailer and

would like to purchase a generator, but I have no idea

what size generator we need to run everything in the

new trailer. If you have any information I would

appreciate the help!

This Week’s RV Bulletin Board

Answer: This is kind of like a trick question because it’s not always possible

to run everything in your travel trailer even when you are connected to a

campground electrical service. For example if you are running the roof AC

(13 amps) the water heater in the electric mode (9 amps) and the microwave

(12 amps) you will exceed a typical 30 amp electrical system found on many

travel trailers.

With that said , it really depends if the travel trailer has a 30 or 50 amp

electrical system. Let’s say it has a 30 amp electrical system, which is

basically capable of using up to 3,600 watts before encountering any

problems. 120 volts X 30 amps= 3,600 watts. Generators are rated in

kilowatts. One kilowatt is equal to 1000 watts, so if you want to be able to use

your trailer’s electrical system the way you normally would when plugged into

a 30 amp electrical service, I would recommend a 4KW or 4,000 watt

generator. 4,000 watts divided by 120 volts = 33.3 amps. Anything over this is

probably overkill.

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Try to find a

generator that has

a built-in 30 amp

receptacle that

you can plug the

RV power cord

directly into. This

way you have

electricity from the

generator going

directly to the RV

through the RV

power cord. Some

generators just

have a couple 15

amp household

type receptacles.

In this case if you

plug into one

receptacle you

would be limited to

a 15 amp circuit.

Portable

Generator

tip

In an effort to make it easier for you to

learn about your RV we took six of

our individual DVD titles and put them

together in a full set. It is equivalent to

over five hours of one on one RV

instruction. Included in the set:

1) RV Care & Maintenance DVD

2) EZ RV Upgrades DVD

3) RV Awning Use, Care DVD

4) RV Campground Basics DVD

5) Deep Cycle Batteries DVD

6) RV Safety Features DVD

A $150.00 value for only $99.95

Click for more information>

Read the new Onan

Generator Handbook

online

4

RV News for the RV Consumer

Read my “Why are State Parks Taking the Budget Hit” article

United States Dedicates 397th National Park PATERSON, N.J. - U.S.

Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) joined National Park Service Director

Jon Jarvis and several others at Paterson Great Falls National Historical

Park for a signing ceremony to officially dedicate the site as the United

States’ 397th National Park, reports Paramus Post.

“I’m incredibly proud, as a New Jerseyan and as the son of immigrants, to

witness today’s declaration of Paterson Great Falls as a National Historic

Park,” said Senator Menendez, who fought to get the legislation

authorizing the new park approved by the Senate Energy and Natural

Resources Committee.

Budget Cuts Close Another CA State Park

The park, along with one-fourth of the state's 278

parks, have been earmarked for closure by the

state's Parks Department as it works to ax $11

million from this year's budget and that same amount

from the next year's budget.

Read the Story>

Read Mark’s

Articles on

State Park

Closures

Read my “Let your Voice be Heard on State Parks” article

5

RV News for the RV Consumer

Durango, CO KOA Selected

as 2012 KOA Campground

of the year

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

Would Permanent Daylight Savings Boost Tourism?

The tourism argument is that extra daylight in the evening hours would

make people more likely to visit parks and other attractions. "In a

nutshell, it would extend the spring and fall shoulder seasons for the

tourism industry," said Kurt Janson, policy director at the Tourism Alliance

a lead organization in the United Kingdom's Campaign for Daylight

Saving. "There would be more usable daylight in the evening hours,

when people are out and about and attractions are open.“

Read the Story>

A KOA Campground, owned by Carol and Jay Coates, was selected

Monday as the Kampgrounds of America 2012 Campground of the Year.

The award was presented during the opening day of KOA's annual

convention at the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

The Coates have owned the Durango KOA for the past 20 years. During

that time, they have worked tirelessly to make the Durango KOA one of

the jewels of the Kampgrounds of America system of more than 475

campgrounds in North America, said Pat Hittmeier, KOA president.

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This Week’s Feature Article

Buying an RV is a major investment, similar to your home or automobile. It

is extremely important that you make educated, well informed RV buying

decisions. When you purchase an RV it's easy to overlook something,

forget to check something, or most importantly not be properly informed

about something. Whatever the case may be you don't realize it until after

you buy it, and then it’s too late. For those of you in the market for an RV I

want to offer my top 10 tips to assist you in buying your RV.

Read the Article> 7

RV Buying Resources

Insider’s Guide to Buying an RV book

Insider’s Guide to Buying an RV E-book

RV Buyer’s Survival Guide book

RV Buyer’s Survival Guide e-book

Learn everything you need to know about buying an RV before

you buy it & save thousands of dollars in the process.

Click Here for

more great RV

Buying Resources

8

RV Buzz Quick Tips

RV Buzz Tip #1

RV Buzz Tip #2

Click to Research Vehicle Tow Guides 1999 thru 2011

RV Buzz Tip #3

Did you know that your tires can lose up to 2 psi

of air pressure every month? That means if the

RV is in storage for 3 or 4 months the tires

could be seriously under inflated. Try to get in a

habit checking tire pressure before each trip

you take with your RV. Don’t forget to check

your automobile tires periodically too.

Performing routine maintenance on your

generator assures years of reliable service.

Maintenance schedules for generators are

based on usage. Monitor the hour meter gauge

and refer to the generator owner’s manual for

recommended service intervals. It’s nice to

know that the generator will start and run

properly when you need it.

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.

9

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CONNECT

CONNECT

CONNECT

CONNECT

Stay Connected to RV Education 101

10

How To Extend the Life of your Engine

To learn more about this product click to watch the video

There are probably more than 20 ways you

can extend the life of your RV or automobile

’s engine, but we are going to narrow the list

down to what I consider to be my top 7.

When all you hear every day is how poorly

the economy is doing it only makes sense to

buckle down and take better care of what

you already own.

A little bit of Preventive Maintenance (PM) now can pay big dividends in the

long run. What’s that old saying? An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of

cure! So what can we do to extend the life of our vehicle engine? Let’s take

a look.

1) Routine Oil and Oil Filter Changes: This is number one on my list. I

have known people who I think change their engine oil and filter more

frequently than is needed, but it is usually the other way around. You should

follow the vehicle manufacturer guidelines for changing the engine oil and

filter. If at all possible try to change the oil and oil filter prior to any long term

storage. Acids accumulate in used oil and can corrode the engine bearings.

Don’t forget the generator oil and filter too.

2) Help your Engine Breathe: A dirty or clogged air filter can rob life from

your engine. When the engine can breathe properly it not only lasts longer

but it is more fuel efficient. Recommendations for checking and replacing air

filters are normally based on driving conditions. It only takes a couple

minutes to check the air filter. I check mine when I change the engine oil,

and it gets replaced if it’s dirty.

Continued next page

11

How To Extend the Life of your Engine cont.

3) Pay Attention to Service Intervals: The manufacturer

recommends service intervals for a reason. You guessed it, to

maximize efficiency and extend the life of the engine. Whether it’s a

diesel or gasoline engine it’s important that you pay attention, and

follow these recommended service intervals. If you don’t perform

your own routine maintenance find a local dealership or repair shop

you can trust and set the vehicle up on a routine service schedule.

4) Keep it Running Cool: Just like clean engine oil lubricates

moving parts and extends the engines life, clean engine antifreeze

helps the major components of the engine stay cool and extends the

engines life. Follow the engine manufacturer guidelines for flushing

and replacing the coolant (make sure you use the proper type of

coolant for the engine) and every time you lift the hood check the

coolant level and inspect coolant hoses for any damage. Coolant

hoses deteriorate from the inside out. Inspect all hoses for wear,

cracks, soft spots, brittle areas and leaks. Replace any damaged

hoses or clamps as required.

Read my “Why Replace your Automobile Antifreeze “Article

5) Perform Pre-Trip Checks: Before moving the RV make the

following checks concerning the engine. Check all fluid levels in the

transmission, power steering, engine coolant, engine oil, windshield

washer and brake fluid. Consult your vehicle owner’s manual for

proper levels. Start the engine, allow it to reach operating

temperature and check for proper readings on all gauges. Look

under the vehicle for any signs of leaks. Have any leaks checked

out and repaired before using the vehicle.

Continued next page

12

6) Driving is Important Too: Smart drivers can extend the life of their

vehicle engine. Watching RPM’s, knowing when to shift gears and

monitoring gauges all contribute to extending the life of your engine. Always

warm an engine up before driving. Don’t race a cold engine; accelerate

slowly until the engine is up to operating temperature. Avoid quick starts and

fast stops whenever possible. Always monitor your gauges and if a gauge is

reading outside of the normal operating range pull over when it is safe and

have it checked/repaired.

7) Proper Storage Procedures: Proper storage procedures can extend the

life of your engine, whereas improper procedures can harm the life of your

engine. I already mentioned that changing the oil and oil filter prior to long

term storage (say 4 or more months) can help you engine. Acids accumulate

in used oil and can corrode the engine bearings. Start the engine

periodically when the motorhome is in storage and run it until it reaches

operating temperature. Fill the fuel tank and add a fuel preservative to the

tank. Run the engine and generator long enough to get the preservative

through the fuel system. Protect the engine compartment from critters.

Squirrels and mice love to chew on plastic, rubber and anything else they

can find, and a vehicle engine compartment makes a safe and cozy winter

home. If the motorhome is stored outside I recommend starting the engine

more often to deter these critters from calling it home. Exercise the

generator on a regular basis. When you run the generator make sure there

is at least a ½ rated load on it. Check your generator owner’s manual for

instructions on exercising it.

I mentioned earlier that there are many other factors that can help extend

the life of your engine, but I think these are some of the most important. If

any one of these items is not properly maintained it could end up costing

you thousands of dollars in repair bills. Maintaining your RV & auto’s engine

is not that difficult to do and in times of uncertainty it is what I would call

cheap insurance. RV101

How To Extend the Life of your Engine cont.

13

U of RV “How To” Videos

Click Here

to Play

Discover some EZ to use

RV sewer hose fittings

Click Here

to Play

Discover the Benefits of a

Digital Tire Pressure Gauge?

Digital Tire Pressure Gauge

14

Cold Weather RVing Crossword

Play & Learn RV Crossword Puzzle

Click

To Play

15

We hope you enjoyed this week’s edition of the U of RV e-newsletter.

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.

Keep an eye out next week for a special “RV How-To” e-news edition.

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

16

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 2000 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 over 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.

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 is 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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Harrells, NC 28444

910-484-7615

Contact:

Mark@rveducation101.com

Dawn@rveducation101.com

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17

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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