For the Sake of a Better Name, let’s Call it Green RVing
September 8, 2008 by Mark Polk · 7 Comments
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to our E-mail Digest. We will then send you the stories that are posted each day in an e-mail digest. We use a service called Feedburner for delivery of these emails. You will receive an e-mail from Feedburner after you subscribe and you must click on that email to activate your subscription. Thanks for visiting and enjoy all the information!
RV.Net Blog Admin
Today I am going to dip my toe in to test some turbulent waters. This blog is not meant to discuss whether we as Americans should drill for oil or not, and it’s not meant to discuss fossil fuels versus renewable energy. Just for the record though, I personally feel we should drill for oil in the shorter term and I feel we should continue to seek cost effective alternative fuels for the long term. If however you would like to discuss and/or comment on the topic of the US drilling for oil see Bob Difley’s blog titled, Will Drilling ANWR Ease the Oil Crisis?
My blog today is about what we as RVers can do to be more environmentally friendly as we traverse the country in our RV’s. In addition to producing educational videos on how to use and maintain RV’s I write for different RV trade and RV consumer publications. One column I write is titled RV Smart. It’s for a new consumer magazine titled “RV Magazine.” My most recent assignment is for an article discussing different ways that RVers can be environmentally friendly. This can cover a broad range of topics like: lessening the carbon footprint we leave behind by using renewable energy sources, to just being good stewards to the land we enjoy using so much.
If you think about it RV’s are already environmentally friendly just by design. For example:
1) We are not heating or for that matter using as much water as we do in our homes.
2) It is more efficient to heat and cool the RV simply because of the amount of space we are heating and/or cooling, as compared to our homes.
3) Lots of devices in our RVs use 12-volt DC power, that at home, would require 120-volt AC for the same devices to operate.
The biggest culprit as it relates to energy consumption and environmental concerns are of course the fossil fuels burned getting from point A to point B in our RV’s. But, there are ways we can improve in this area too. And RV manufacturers and automobile manufacturers are designing green RVs, smaller and lighter RV’s and engines that run on alternative fuels.
We as a country, and moreso as RVers can and should protect the environment and leave it in as good of, if not better, condition than we found it. One of my wishes is for my children’s children, and their future generations to visit some of the same spectacular places we have visited in our RV ; and when they do, to see it the same way it was when we first saw it.
I thought what better way to get some input for this upcoming article than to present it to you, the readers and fellow RVers of the RV Net Blog, for comments on how we can be more environmental friendly RVers. Post any suggestions, ideas or comments you have on effective ways we as RVers can give back to our environment; from using renewable energy sources like solar panels, to just plain slowing down and conserving some fuel.
I look forward to your comments, ideas and suggestions.
Happy Camping,
Mark Polk
Extending the Life of your RV Awnings
August 25, 2008 by Mark Polk · 3 Comments
Awnings are a great feature to have on your RV. There are several different types of RV awnings and they serve different purposes. There are window and door awnings that provide shade and keep rain away from your RV windows or entry door. There are slide-out awnings that protect the slide-out roof from debris and water. And there are patio awnings. Patio awnings extend the living area of our outdoor world. Similar to the front porch of your home, the patio awning provides us with shade and cover from a light rain when we want to sit and enjoy the great outdoors. The awnings on your RV will provide years of reliable trouble free operation, if you take the time to do a little preventive maintenance and cleaning. 
Perhaps the most important component of an awning is the fabric. Fabric used on RV awnings is one of two types, acrylic or vinyl. Acrylic fabric is a woven cloth that lets air circulate through the fabric. This air circulation allows the fabric to dry quickly when it gets wet. Acrylic fabrics are water repellent, but not waterproof. If you have experience tent camping you know that you shouldn’t touch the underside of the tent when it’s wet. Touching the wet fabric allows water to seep through the fabric. The same applies to an acrylic awning fabric. Vinyl awning fabric is mildew resistant, but not necessarily mildew proof. Mildew can form on the dirt and dust that collects on the fabric. It will be worse in high temperatures, humidity and if the fabric is stored when it is wet.
Some awnings have an aluminum or vinyl wrap-around weather guard that protects the awning fabric when it’s in the travel position. When you open the awning for the first time each year, or if it has been stored for a while, you will need to inspect the awning fabric for any signs of mildew or stains. Remember vinyl awnings will mildew. To prevent dirt from imbedding into the woven fabric of an acrylic awning fabric you should simply hose the fabric off on a monthly basis. Avoid scrubbing acrylic awning fabric. Scrubbing can remove the water retardant finish. For stubborn stains blot the approved cleaner on the acrylic fabric with a sponge or soft cloth.
For more difficult stains, or mildew, on a vinyl awning fabric there are after market commercial cleaners made just for awning fabrics. One method that seems to work well is to spray the inside and outside of the awning fabric with the appropriate cleaner, then roll it up and let it sit for several minutes. This distributes the cleaner over the entire surface of the awning fabric and allows the cleaner time to work. Open the awning and thoroughly rinse both sides of the fabric. It may be necessary to scrub stubborn stains with a brush on a vinyl awning fabric before rinsing. You can clean the awning hardware with the same cleaner you use to wash the RV.
Note: Never use oil based or abrasive cleaners on awning fabrics. Clean and thoroughly rinse both sides of the awning fabric. Carefully follow all awning and cleaner manufacturer directions.
Inspecting the Awning:
-
Inspect the awning fabric for any tears or excessive wear. Talk to your RV dealer about what materials to use to repair or patch the awning fabric.
-
Do not store the awning when the fabric is wet. Allow enough time for it to dry completely, on both sides, before storing the awning.
-
While the awning is out, inspect the awning hardware. The bottom awning brackets support most of the load from the awning. Check the lag screws in the awning brackets for secure mounting. Inspect the arm pivot holes for any enlarged holes or broken rivets in the handles.
-
Check for a warped roller tube. If the roller tube is warped it will be noticeable when you roll the awning out.
-
Inspect the awning end caps for secure mounting and broken rivets. Caution: Never attempt to remove the awning end caps. Spring tension can result in serious injury.
-
Make sure the awning rail is securely mounted to the side of the RV.
Note: Have any damaged or broken parts repaired before using the awning.
Using the Awning:
In addition to cleaning and inspecting your awning there are a few things to keep in mind when using the awning.
-
Always lower one end of the awning to allow for water runoff. The weight from water pooling on the awning fabric can cause extensive and costly damage.
-
Any wind gusts over 20 miles per hour can also cause extensive damage to the awning and to the RV. Never leave the awning out unattended. If everyone is leaving the campsite, store the awning in the travel position. When you go to bed, store the awning. Even when you are at the campsite, you should use awning tie downs to prevent any sudden damage caused by high wind gusts or a sudden storm.
-
You have the option to position the awning arms straight down and stake them to the ground, but you will get better support if they’re attached to the bottom awning brackets on the side of the RV. Remember, it is much easier to prevent damage to your awning than it is to repair it.
Awning Tip: Check with your RV insurance provider to make sure your RV awning is covered in the event of any damage. Some insurance companies require separate insurance coverage on the RV awnings.
Happy Camping,
Mark Polk
Tyler’s RV Tips
August 20, 2008 by Mark Polk · 6 Comments
Several years ago when I first wrote my E-book titled, “A Collection of RV Tips” my youngest son, Tyler, was six years old at the time. He has been RVing since he was a baby. Tyler came in my office asking what I was doing. When I explained that I was writing some tips for RVers he got very excited and pointed out that he had a bunch of tips for RVers too. He started rattling some tips off, and when he finally finished I was quite amazed at how many he had to offer.
Recently I ran across Tyler’s RV tips and thought you might enjoy reading them.
The Ultimate Travel Companion
August 11, 2008 by Mark Polk · 12 Comments
What weighs 15 ounces; is the size of a deck of cards and could possibly save an RVers marriage? Let me give you a scenario. You’re driving your 35-foot RV on a congested four lane highway, during rush hour, somewhere you have never been before and your better half is your navigator. You miss your exit and now you need to go 25 miles out of your way to get back on the correct route, arguing about whose fault it was the whole time. Sound familiar?
Now, let’s see what we can do to fix this problem. You’re driving your RV on a congested four lane highway, during rush hour, somewhere you have never been before and your new Global Positioning System (GPS) is your navigator. The unique, turn-by-turn, voice prompt feature instructs you to turn right in eight tenths of a mile. You don’t miss your exit; you don’t need to go 25 miles out of your way and your marriage remains intact.
In the past, whenever we would take a trip in the RV, I would print the driving directions from a trip planning website. Then, as we traveled, my wife would inform me of when and where we would make any changes in our route. Needless to say we missed turns, took wrong exits and on more than one occasion there were those last second, white knuckle lane changes; if you’ve been RVing for a while you know what I’m talking about.
I finally decided to take advantage of modern day technology and purchase a GPS system. All I can say is I should kick myself for waiting so long to do it. The more I learned about these GPS systems the more fascinated I was with the capabilities they had to offer. Most come preprogrammed with detailed maps, automatic trip routing, voice-prompted turn-by-turn directions along your route, and easy to follow touch screen displays, which is exactly what you want when you’re traveling in an RV. If you get a text-to-speech feature the GPS actually calls out the turns you need to make, so you can keep your eyes where they need to be, on the road. If you miss a turn the GPS system automatically recalculates the quickest way to get back on the correct route.
Other features we liked about the GPS are the Points of Interest (POI) like, restaurants, shopping centers and tourist attractions. In addition to all of these features the GPS model we purchased includes a built in MP3 player and a JPEG picture viewer too.
I don’t know about you but driving an RV in places you have never been before can be nerve-racking at times, especially if you are navigating the old school way, using a map. I am a little slow to change sometimes, when it comes to keeping up with the latest technology, but getting a GPS system to help navigate the RV is the best thing I’ve done since switching from dial-up to high speed internet service. This truly is a great way to make traveling in your RV less stressful and who knows, it just might result in a happier marriage too.
P.S. I still print the route from a trip planning website and keep my maps next to the drivers seat, just in case!
Happy Camping,
Mark Polk
Is your RV Properly Insured?
August 4, 2008 by Mark Polk · Leave a Comment
As everybody is aware, any time you purchase something like an RV it is a major investment. Like any other major investment i.e., your home or automobiles, you need to protect your investment. The most logical way to protect these major investments is to insure them against unforeseen events or accidents.
Many years ago, when I was an RV sales manager, I was surprised at the lack of information available to assist in educating the RV consumer on properly insuring their RV. Most people who purchased an RV would simply add their new RV to their current automobile insurance policy. If you purchased a motorized RV there are many elements of your automobile insurance that relate to your RV, but there are many other insurance related matters that won’t be covered by an auto policy.
This is why it is extremely important that you understand the specific insurance needs that your new RV purchase requires to be properly protected and insured. As a sales manager I would attempt to educate each individual on these unique insurance coverage requirements, but this didn’t help all of the other RV consumers who weren’t educated on RV insurance.
In an effort to help educate RV consumers everywhere we teamed up with our partners at National Interstate Insurance Company and Explorer RV Insurance Agency to produce some free video clips on RV insurance related matters. RV insurance is not the most exciting or entertaining topic, especially for video, but if you own an RV it should be required viewing, just to make sure you are properly protected. We buy RV’s to get away from everything and explore this beautiful country we live in and nothing can ruin that experience quicker than finding out you don’t have the right coverage when you need it.
We currently have three RV insurance video clips covering all kinds of RV insurance information and coverage. This video clip is titled, International Traveler’s RVing in North America
All three of the RV insurance clips are available for viewing at the RV Insurance Corner of our web site at www.rveducation101.com
Happy Camping,
Mark Polk
Gas Vs Diesel
July 16, 2008 by Mark Polk · 17 Comments
Should I buy gas or diesel? This question has fueled many a heated debate over the years. A universal response you could expect to hear to this question goes something like this; diesels cost more than gas, don’t buy a diesel unless you plan to put a bunch of miles on it and keep it for a long time. That’s the only way you can justify the extra cost of a diesel.
Hot Weather Preventive Maintenance
When I was in the military I was in charge of some very large fleet maintenance operations. As a maintenance officer a term that was near and dear to me was preventive maintenance. Preventive maintenance is maintenance you perform on your vehicle before a problem exists. These checks are designed to prevent or identify potential problems that could lead to mechanical breakdown, malfunction or failure of a component or system. Preventive maintenance consists of cleaning, inspecting, lubricating, adjusting and servicing your vehicle. In the military there were preventive maintenance checks that the vehicle operator was responsible for and preventive maintenance checks that different echelons of maintenance personnel performed.
Since my days in the military I continue to perform preventive maintenance on my automobiles and the RV. For the most part I would classify these checks as operator level preventive maintenance checks, that almost anyone is capable of performing. Don’t confuse this with scheduled maintenance. Scheduled or routine maintenance is performed in intervals normally based on time, mileage or hours. Scheduled maintenance is designed to keep your vehicles in top operating condition and prevent untimely breakdowns and repairs.
Note: It is absolutely essential that you read your owner’s manual and warranty information in regards to who is responsible for what when it comes to scheduled maintenance. Scheduled maintenance that is required by the manufacturer and not performed can void your warranty.
With the hot weather upon us I thought it appropriate to list some simple preventive maintenance checks you can make on your automobile or RV before heading out on a trip. Read more
Turn the Air on!
June 11, 2008 by Mark Polk · 3 Comments
Campgrounds across the country have something in common around this time every year. Not only are many of them filled to capacity, but they are trying to keep up with the high demand for electricity. The heat is on and so are the air conditioners. The familiar humming sound of air conditioners can be heard day and night throughout the tranquil campground setting.
As campgrounds struggle to meet the taxing demand placed on the electrical system many of the patrons camping there are unaware of the potential problems this can create. Campground electricity can fluctuate a great deal, especially during the summer months when the demand for electricity is much greater. When AC voltage drops below 105 volts or goes above 130 volts you risk damaging thousands of dollars worth of electrical appliances and electronic equipment in your RV.
Keeping Cool in your RV
May 28, 2008 by Mark Polk · 2 Comments
Summer is fast approaching and for RVers that not only means prime travel season is upon us, but so is the heat. If you ever walked inside an RV that is sitting in the direct sunlight on a hot summer day you know what I’m talking about. Fortunately there are some simple things we can do to make our summer RV camping trips more pleasurable.
Strategically park your RV to take advantage of any shade that is available, especially on the side where the refrigerator vent is located. Don’t be afraid to ask for a shady site when you check in at the campground. This will not only help cool the RV down, but your refrigerator and roof A/C will work much more efficiently.
RV Roof Care
May 21, 2008 by Mark Polk · 14 Comments
One of the most neglected areas on your RV is the roof, out of site out of mind. The problem is if you don’t keep the roof clean and inspect the roof seams on a regular basis you could end up with (expensive to repair) water damage. Many RVs built over the last couple decades used a rubber roofing material. If you want to get a long life out of your RV roof here are some things you can do.
Safety first! Be extremely careful whenever you are working on your RV roof. You can be seriously injured from a fall. You have to get on the roof of your RV to properly clean and inspect it for any damage or potential water leaks. The first step is the ladder you use to get up on the roof. If your RV does not have a ladder on the back to access the roof it probably is not designed to be walked on. In this situation it may be necessary to use a couple pieces of plywood or particle board to help distribute your weight on the roof. Even if the RV is equipped with a ladder to access the roof you need to walk lightly when you’re on the roof and be careful.
