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   The RV Education 101 Newsletter
Learning RV's the Easy Way by Video

Volume 21 - November 2005


KOA campgrounds are excited to team with the leader in RV education and show their support for the RV industry by endorsing RV Education 101!
                     View KOA Clip

Quote of the month

Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterward. -Vernon Law, baseball pitcher


SODA-CLUB SODA MAKERS: THE ULTIMATE HOLIDAY GIFT FOR RVERS
Transform water into fresh, fizzy seltzer or soda in seconds with a Soda-Club soda maker. Each compact bottle of concentrated sodamix is like having 36 cans of soda on board! 27 delicious flavors -- regular, diet and caffeine-free. Regular flavors have much less sugar, carbs and sodium than store bought drinks, and diet flavors are sweetened with Splenda®. No more lugging and storing heavy, bulky bottles and cans of soda on the rig -- and no more empties to deal with. Three-year warranty and money-back guarantee.

SAVE $30 when you use promotion code RVED with your online order:
http://www.sodaclubusa.com/referrer.asp?redirect=rv_boat_camp.asp&referrer=0005_0020_0195_0001

Read Marks review of the Soda Maker:
http://www.rvuniversity.com/article.php?story=2005110210345743


 
Editorial by Mark   

Hi Everybody,

I can't believe it's November already. October was a very busy month and slipped by quickly. We filmed a new DVD titled "Towing behind a Motorhome." If you have any questions about towing a vehicle behind your motorhome this DVD will answer them for you. It is currently at the replication company and should be available in a couple of weeks.

I spent what was left of October trying to finish a book I have been working on, titled "The RV Book." It is very close to being finished and will soon be ready for the printer. It has taken a long time to complete, but it was very much worthwhile. If you are fairly new to RVing and even if you are somewhat experienced it would be a great book to add to your RV library. I tried to cover everything you need to know about RVs and RVing. I would like to thank Peggi McDonald, author of RV Living in the 21st Century, and Bob Zagami, editor for Pop Up Times magazine and industry consultant for helping to edit "The RV Book." Hopefully it will be available sometime around the first of the new year.

The only other exciting news for October was that our 15 year old, Joshua, got his learners permit to drive! It's exciting for him, but just a few more gray hairs for me. Actually he does pretty good. I just hope it takes a long time for next October to get here.

Enjoy the newsletter and until next month take care,

Happy Camping,

Mark 

 Watch Mark's "RV Savvy" segments on the RVTV Television show. http://www.outdoorchannel.com/index.cfm?site=2


Feature Article by Mark; Your unit is winterized, but is it properly stored?

The snow has arrived in many parts of the country and before you know it Christmas will be here and then another New Year. What does this mean to RVers? Well, besides shoveling sidewalks and last minute Christmas shopping it means parking the RV until next spring. 

Most of us have already winterized our RV's so we won't have any problems with it next spring, but did you really prepare your RV for several months of storage? Many of us don't think about it, but the storing portion is just as important as winterizing the water system. Actually winterizing your RV encompasses much more than protecting the water system from freezing temperatures. It’s just that we're under the impression that winterizing means to put that pink non-toxic antifreeze through our water system and everything will be okay.

 

When I produced our winterizing video I included an entire section on properly storing the RV. It’s important that we consider things like batteries, ventilation, the condition of sealants, mice, and fuel system protection just to mention a few. The following RV storing checklist is an excerpt taken from my “Checklists for RVers” e-book. 

http://www.rveducation101.com/ebooks.htm?siteID=0

 

Let’s look at some things we should do in addition to winterizing our RV water system. The storage procedures are divided into two sections, the coach storage and the chassis storage. Click here to read the full story:  http://www.rvuniversity.com/article.php?story=20051102104238441

Happy Camping,

Mark

Purchase our "Winterizing & Storing your RV" DVD at http://www.rveducation101.com/detailpages/WinterizingDetail.htm?siteID=0


The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA), http://www.rvia.org/index.htm represents the manufacturers of 95% of all RV’s made in theUnited States. One thing you will want to do while searching for your RV, is verify that the RV manufacturer is a member of the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA). If they are, the RV will have an oval shaped RVIA seal displayed on the exterior, usually by the entrance door. This seal means that the RV manufacturer is in compliance with more than 500 safety requirements regarding electrical, plumbing, heating, and fire and life safety. These safety requirements are established under the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A119.2 Standard for Recreation Vehicles. If you don't see the seal, don't buy the RV.  RVIA offers a very good searchable database of RV manufacturers at: http://www.rvia.org/consumers/rvmemberssearch.cfm There is another good list from RV buyers guide: http://www.rvbg.com/manufacturers.cfm
Traveling with Your Diabetic Pet by R. Brooks Bloomfield, DVM - Bringing our pets along on trips adds both a dimension of enjoyment and one of challenge. One would think that having a diabetic pet would make it all the more difficult but in fact that is usually not the case, though it may not be best for the pet and each must be assessed individually...read more:http://www.rvuniversity.com/article.php?story=200511021

Everything a dog might need in an emergency whether at home or on the road. The Canine Companion kit contains 42 first-aid, health care, wound care, bandaging, and comfort/safety items; with easy to follow instructions written by Dr. Bloomfield, specifically for each product. RV Education 101 feels this kit is a smart necessity if you are going to travel with your dogs. Canine Companion - "Emergency First Aid and Travel Kit for Dogs"


By Peggi McDonald, Author of "RV Living in the 21st Century"  

FROM MY NEW PACKING TIPS EBOOK soon to be launched:

    *Always look above and below closets – sometimes ’hidden’ space is waiting behind a panel.

    *On Kastle #2 we discovered two long 8” high spaces under the bottom drawers of our night tables.  By removing the front decorative panel we found a perfect place for shoes.

    *About 4”-6” of space, designed to cover hoses and wires is available below most RV drawers. This is a super space for cookie sheets, etc – remove the drawer for full access.

    *Narrow, yet large items like sewing machines can usually fit snug beside the dinette wall or corner of a bedroom.

    *In Kastle#2, we found two large hollow areas under each step of our motorhome. We fabricated ‘lids’ using the carpet as a hinge (adding a piano hinge would also work). Perfect spot outside for muddy wet shoes, etc.

    *There is abundant space under most sofas that can be transformed into drawer spaces.

Del and Bob Bullen from an Explorer RV Club rally submitted this tip.

     *We use our hidden space under drawers in the bedroom for items that need to stay dry or cool such as prescription meds, important papers, etc.

Tips like those above are only a few of the numerous ideas gracing the pages of the comprehensive RV LIVING IN THE 21ST CENTURY. One review stated "Peggi provides the answer before you even thought of the question". This publication overflows with mega information. It has so much for so little: "RV Living in the 21st Century" Details


Now AvailableDVD: Better Business Bureau: Buying a Recreational Vehicle
Learn the biggest mistakes RV buyers make in this 50-minute DVD from RV Travel and the Better Business Bureau, so you can avoid making them yourself. Information for this program was developed through extensive research; examination of consumer complaints to the Better Business Bureau; and interviews with industry leaders, dealers, RV repair professionals and actual RVers. Viewing this Better Business Bureau DVD is the very best insurance you can get in avoiding making some of the classic and often costly mistakes new RVers make. Released in October, 2005.
BUY NOW  DVD$19.95

Viewer feedback about RV EDUCATION 101 videos / DVD's :

Congratulations on your DVD's! Just received 2 of your titles (Winterizing 101 and Pop Up 101). I must say this was probably the best money I have spent on DVD's in a very long time. Having purchased our tent-trailer in August of this year, I'm not exactly a seasoned pro, but your DVD's, especially Pop Up 101, brought so many details into focus.

My wife and I plan on watching over again a few more times just to make sure we grasp everything you explain.

Cheers and thanks again.

Roger Morin...Quebec, Canada

Campground Cooking   By: Pat Watson

Pat and her husband, Francis, live in Holland, Ohio, and love cooking and entertaining their friends and family, especially at KOA campgrounds! Her new cookbook, "Campground Cooking", is a collection of more than 200 fun, easy recipes designed for RV cooking. Pat says all of the recipes can be made using an RV oven, crock-pot, microwave or electric skillet. She even has sections on cooking with foil and recipes for grilling. Many of the recipes can be adapted for cooking over an open fire, and it's great for busy cooks at home.

Ice Cream Sandwich DessertThis recipe is so simple that kids enjoy making it.  If you like ice cream cake, you will love this wonderful dessert!!

12-(3 oz) neopolitan ice cream sandwiches
1-(8 oz) frozen whipped topping ­ vanilla, chocolate or strawberry
1 cup chopped malted milk balls or your favorite candy

Thaw whipped topping.  Combine whipped topping and candy chunks.  Put 2 layers of ice cream sandwiches in the bottom of an 8x8 in. plastic container, cutting sandwiches as necessary.  Spread whipped topping mixture over top of sandwiches.  Freeze.  Cut into squares to serve.

TIP:  To chop candy, put it in a plastic storage bag and pound lightly with a hammer.  For easy cleanup, gently mix candy into container of whipped topping.

Now available as an instant e-book! Cookbook details 77 pages

RV Education 101 strongly supports the sale of these Cookbooks. Pat is donating 10 percent of her profits from the book to benefit the KOA Care Camps Trust for kids with cancer. You can find out more about KOA Care Camps here:http://www.koacarecamps.com/


Summer '05 Park Report: No Big Gas Price Effect -Despite high fuel costs, summer season occupancy rates at RV parks and campgrounds across the United States were at least as strong as last year's and, in many instances, outpaced 2004 levels, according to park operators and industry officials... http://www.woodalls.biz/output.cfm?id=1017523


Monthly Product Discount

This month, we are again BLOWING OUT two of our VHS titles:

Travel Trailer Towing, Weights, Hitch Work & Backing 

and

Class A Motor Home 101

SALE PRICE $13.95 each BUY NOW

Please type: newsletter discount in the  Key Code box of the order form. We will adjust your total when your order is processed. Order Now!


 Is your RV prepared for winter? Here are a few more things to check so you wont have any surprises next spring. RV ready for winter?


Campground Attractions by KOA -  Massachusetts U.S. Route 1 
 
Following the old stagecoach route, U.S. Route 1 continues on to Newburyport, Massachusetts.
No evidence of wagon ruts, but the route remains rural as it heads to "Bean Town." Boston is an intriguing destination and though pricey, worth a visit. The list of options for visitors spans all interests. Select a few to serve as a starting point for memory making & as always your KOA Kampground host will add to the list.

All New 2006 KOA Campground Directory - The 2006 KOA Directory is all you'll need to plan your family's camping fun, whether your trip takes you across North America or just down the road from your home. Order your copy today! http://koa.com/orderadirectory/


RV Propane Safety - "Better safe than sorry." There's no better advice when it comes to propane safety. While the RV industry has done a lot to ensure high standards regarding propane safety, propane can cause disaster if mishandled or used improperly. When propane leaks from one of the lines inside an RV, it can build up until a source of ignition (match, cigarette, spark, pilot light, etc.) causes it to explode. Read more....
Funroads.com - RV, Motorhome, RV parts


RV Camping just got easier - and saving money is something we can all do to fight high gas prices while we RV. Happy Camper has created the first-of-its-kind "Pass it on" e-report for RVers - full of information on how to cut your camping budget. The report is ABSOLUTELY FREE, and you do not have to be a member to download it.

Best of all, it's made to be SHARED, with all your RVing friends! Send a fun greeting to everyone on your buddy list with this helpful, timely report - just in time for fall travel. The report will be ready for download early next week, but you can reserve your copy TODAY! Just send us an email to HappyCamping10@aol.com with a subject line: Camping Discount.  Within a few days, we'll send you a user name and password, with a link to download. Enjoy this one-of-a-kind freebie - and save money on the road. Email us now: HappyCamping10@aol.com

Join 1/2 price camping today at our web site:http://www.camphalfprice.com


How to inspect and evaluate a used motorhome the "PAINLESS" way. The 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


Information packed e-books:

RVers Guide to Internet Access on the Road Confused about staying in touch while traveling? This e-book will clarify things for you!

RV Buyers Survival Guide Looking for your first RV? This e-book is a MUST for you!

How to BUY and SELL RV's on E-bay !! Need to get rid of your RV, or are you looking for one? Learn the insiders tips from an RV dealer with this e-book!


Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores- Click below to see a list of Cracker Barrel locations across America.  http://roadnotes.com/cracker/index.htm


Remember the last time when you had to fight your new plastic sewer hose to get the tank adapter fitting or the dump elbow fitting in place and clamped? Well, fight no more. To begin with, slip a hose clamp onto each end of the hose, and position them loosely approximately 6 inches from the ends. Then, simply soak the end of the hose in hot water for a few minutes to soften it, and slide the fitting into position. Last of all, tighten the clamps, and you're finished. – Stuart West, Ossepee, New Hampshire

More than 595 easy to do money saving tips in the 10-Minute Tech The Book.

http://www.qksrv.net/click-1128665-1644800


Popular items at RV Education 101:

""Live Your Road Trip Dream"

RV E-Books

RV Travel Videos/DVDs

Travel Trailer Towing, Weights, Hitch Work & Backing

Class A Motor Home 101

Travelers Guide to the Firearms Laws

Family Outdoor Emergency Kit


Natural Wonders of the SE Coast - When you think of the East Coast you usually think of big cities, but there are many natural areas that have been set aside as well. Our adventure begins in Virginia Beach as we follow the coast south through the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
One-third of all the sal*censored*er marshes along the East Coast are located in Georgia. An eco-tour explains how important the marsh is to the creatures that inhabit it, like oysters, crabs, wading birds, and manatees.
The Everglades is the place to visit for natural wonders. The national park is one of the most unusual in the country. The East Coast contains many natural wonders that most people are not aware of, come along for the ride! by John Holod

...Available in DVD $26.95 & VHS $21.95   Video details   Order Now! 

NEW** RV Education 101 E-books, By Mark Polk 

How to Buy an RV, Before you Buy it

http://www.rveducation101.com/ebooks.htm?siteID=0

The Complete Guide to Dinghy Towing

http://www.rveducation101.com/ebooks.htm?siteID=0


The new 2006 North American Directory, a special commemorative edition to celebrate 70 years of Woodalls' service to the industry is available for pre-publication sale:http://www.woodalls.com/shop/display.cfm?productID=DWNCD6&deid=800


Drive your RV with confidence -For many years Richard (Dick) Reed has been very active in the RV life style. He realized that many people, who would love to travel in a recreational vehicle, were fearful of driving or towing the larger vehicles. Having many years experience in truck driving instruction and a long time love for travel and camping Dick proposed a school that would offer students instruction in how to safely drive their own Recreational Vehicle unit. http://www.rvschool.com/index.htm


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 28-foot Class C motor home. We have two boys, Tyler 9 and Josh 15, both avid RVers and two dogs, Gracie and Buck. Gracie is the good one. If you would like to learn more about us and RV Education 101 feel free to visit our website www.rveducation101.com

RV Education 101 Newsletter © Copyright 2004, 2005 Mark J. Polk, except where indicated otherwise. All rights reserved worldwide. Reprint only with permission from copyright holder(s). All trademarks are property of their respective owners. All contents provided as is. Advertisers are solely responsible for ad content.

To contact us with feedback or questions, email to: info@rveducation101.com

To subscribe, please email http://rveducation101.com/email/

To unsubscribe, please email http://rveducation101.com/email/unsubscribe.asp

RV Education 101 Newsletter is an opt-in ezine available by subscription only. We neither use nor endorse the use of spam. Your email address will ONLY be used to distribute this newsletter and will NEVER be sold or given to any other entity!!

Happy Camping,

Mark

www.rveducation101.com

RV Education 101
3969 Stedman Cedar Creek Road
Fayetteville, NC  28312
910-484-7615

Last Updated Friday, November 04 2005 @ 01:34 PM EST|2'830 Hits View Printable Version

© Copyright 2001-2010 RV Education 101 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
RV University,a site providing Recreation Vehicle safety, RV maintenance information, RV tips, RV advice and RV instruction for using and maintaining an RV by Mark Polk. Our best selling "how to" RV walk thru orientation video, DVD and e-book titles;  The Original Checklists for RVers , How to Buy an RV, Before you Buy it , Trailer Towing, Weights, Hitch Work & Backing, Travel Trailer 101 , Class A Motor Home video 101, Winterizing & Storing your RV , The RV Book

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