Mark’s RV Garage Episode #14 RV Internet Show Released

RV Education 101 releases Episode #14 of the new Internet based RV How-To series titled “Mark’s RV Garage.” The new episode is available for viewing at www.rvconsumer.com and on  You Tube          On this episode of Mark’s RV Garage: * Mark installs a new RV 500 tankless water heater and tests the electrical system on the vintage trailer restoration project.  * Discover a product that will keep your motorhome wheels going straight even if there is a blowout.  * Get some preventive maintenance tips on how to check the air pressure in your tires.  * All of this and more on this episode of Mark’s RV Garage.  If you missed previous episodes of Mark’s RV Garage they are archived at www.rvconsumer.com for easy retreival and viewing Episode # 15 will be available for viewing on 22 August 2011. Happy RV Learning, Mark Polk www.rvconsumer.com www.rveducation101.com  Read More →

Introducing the Magellan® RoadMate® Pro 9165T…The Ideal RV Travel Companion.

Magellan GPS,  the Good Sam Club and Trailer Life RV Parks & Campgrounds Directory have teamed up to offer the all-new and exciting RoadMate Pro 9165T, a robust GPS device that is specifically designed for those who love to RV. This new GPS device combines the core strengths of Magellan, Good Sam and Trailer Life Directory. Magellan Roadmate Pro 9165T GPS Receiver Powered by the Directory, this is a must-have tool for RVers, providing over 11,700 comprehensive listings for the U.S and Canada which include Wi-Fi and Internet access, pet-friendly campground locations, Good Sam Club discount locations, Trailer Life’s exclusive triple rating system and other points of interest specific to RVers. The extra-wide, high-definition 7-inch touchscreen offers large vehicle and RV settings to customize routes based on vehicle height, width, length and weight, allowing drivers to plan safe routes in advance. And, with an extremely versatile Heavy Duty Extension Mount designed for vehicles with deep dashboards, you can easily make adjustments to get the viewing position that works best for you. Your drive will be more comfortable, safe and enjoyable for you, your family and friends. The RoadMate Pro 9165T is the first 7″ GPS navigator made especially for RVers. Customizable for your vehicles and powered by Trailer Life Directory, it offers easy navigation as well as great places to stay and things to see and do, so that every trip is uniquely yours. FEATURES: Extra-large,... Read more

20 Easy Ways to Save Fuel and Money

With millions of people planning to hit the road this summer, two things will be on their minds – getting to their destination safely and the price of fuel. It's a great time of year for a road trip to Canyon de Chelly in Arizona. Pictured above is Spider Rock. © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved The latest Campfire Canvass survey of RV owners reveals that 53% intend to use their RVs more this summer despite higher fuel prices. Another 38% say they’ll use their RVs the same amount. Many RV owners surveyed take additional measures to reduce fuel consumption through simple steps like driving 55 instead of 65 mph, packing lighter to reduce weight in the RV, and turning off home utilities to save energy when traveling. Don’t let higher fuel prices stop you from enjoying your summer; instead, test-drive these gas and money saving tips. Most motorists share one common goal—to get the best mileage possible. The desire for the best fuel efficiency is especially strong among recreational vehicle owners. There are many ways that you can reduce fuel and related costs while enjoying travelling in your recreational vehicle. RV drivers are often quite frugal. They budget carefully and they make the most of every trip and vacation. Part of that is being aware of the potential savings that are out there. Following are a number of tips to help you save fuel: Slow down and maintain even pressure on the throttle. Accelerate gradually, both from a stop and when entering a freeway; avoid... Read more

You Can Avoid an RV Disaster

Despite high fuel prices, more Americans are planning to hit the highways and byways this summer. A recreational vehicle sits crashed into a garage in Gaston, North Carolina. Firefighters were dispatched to the incident that sent one man to Gaston Memorial Hospital with non life threatening injuries. (Credit: Gaston Gazette) Whether you are a rookie or a veteran when it comes to the pleasures of traveling in a recreational vehicle, a review of the basics can help to keep you on the road to safety. Realize your size. Many road mishaps occur because of an RV’s additional size and weight. For instance, operators accidentally drive under an overpass without enough clearance because they forget about the additional height. Know your RV’s height (remember to include the AC unit), width, and length and have them posted in the cockpit clearly visible to the driver. Also know the clearances of the bridges, underpasses, and tunnels along your route, especially on back roads. A road atlas specifically for RVers or semi drivers can help. Having your recreational vehicle road-ready and smart planning often helps the RVer to avoid a disaster as the following four incidents illustrate. RV trapped in mall parking lot Santa Maria, California: On May 7 (2011), a driver found out the hard way that it’s important to know the height of your recreational vehicle and pay attention to the clearance signs in parking lots. A mini Toyota camper truck wedged itself in the south parking structure of... Read more

Mark’s RV Garage Episode #8 Released

RV Education 101 releases Episode #8 of the new Internet based RV How-To series titled “Mark’s RV Garage.” The new episode is available for viewing at www.rvconsumer.com and on You Tube On this episode of Mark’s RV Garage: * Mark & Tyler start putting the interior of the Yellowstone restoration project back together. * See how convenient battery operated LED lights are for all those dark and dimly lit areas of your RV. * Get the answer to the question on mixing and matching different battery types and sizes on your RV. * Take a stroll down memory lane when Mark narrates who and what the Tin Can Tourists organization was back in the day, and how it has been revived. * All of this and more on this episode of Mark’s RV Garage. If you missed previous episodes of Mark’s RV Garage they are archived at www.rvconsumer.com for easy retreival and viewing Episode # 9 will be available for viewing on 30 May 2011. Happy RV Learning, Mark Polk www.rvconsumer.com www.rveducation101.com  Read More →

Mark’s RV Garage Episode #7 Released

RV Education 101 releases Episode #6 of the new Internet based RV How-To series titled “Mark’s RV Garage.” The new episode is available for viewing at www.rvconsumer.com and on You Tube  On this episode: * Mark & Tyler start putting the interior walls back in the vintage trailer restoration project and add new vinyl flooring. * Learn how to install a Dirt Devil central vacuum cleaner in your RV. * Find out what the difference is between modified sine wave and pure sine wave inverters. * Discover all of the fun things to do and places to visit when you stay at the Niagara Falls North KOA. * Learn some great tips and techniques to help with backing a 5th wheel trailer All of this and more on this episode of Mark’s RV Garage. If you missed previous episodes of Mark’s RV Garage they are archived at www.rvconsumer.com for easy retreival and viewing Episode # 8 will be available for viewing on 16 May 2011. Happy RV Learning, Mark Polk www.rvconsumer.com www.rveducation101.com  Read More →

Mark’s RV Garage Episode #6 Released

  RV Education 101 releases Episode #6 of the new Internet based RV How-To series titled “Mark’s RV Garage.” The new episode is available for viewing at www.rvconsumer.com and on You Tube         On this episode of Mark’s RV Garage:  * Mark finishes the 12 volt wiring, the roof decking and starts on the interior of the vintage trailer restoration project.  * See what product can add to enjoying the nightlife under your RV patio awning  * Get some tips on how to maximize your RV refrigerators efficiency.  *  Discover a great camping destination for the entire family located in New York  * Watch an interview with the creator of a charity called “RV 4 the Cause” If you missed previous episodes of Mark’s RV Garage they are archived at www.rvconsumer.com for easy retreival and viewing Episode # 7 will be available for viewing on 02 May 2011. Happy RV Learning, Mark Polk www.rvconsumer.com  Read More →

RV Fire Safety

One of the more common calls the Yuma Rural/Metro Fire Department responds to this time of year is for fires in recreational vehicles, according to fire marshal Curt Foster. According to Foster, two such calls happened last week, The Yuma Sun reports. RV fires are one of the largest causes of recreational vehicle loss. Photo courtesy Mac the Fire Guy RV owners need to be just as a careful, if not more so, than homeowners in guarding against fires, and the best way to do that is through prevention. “They need to be thought of as homes, because for some people they are,” Foster said. “Owners need to be taking the same precautions for their RVs that they do for in homes.” While it may seem obvious, Foster said one of the most important things that RV owners need to do is make sure the smoke, LP gas, and carbon monoxide detectors are all located properly and in good working condition. Foster recommends replacing the batteries in those detectors every couple of years and to clean and test them monthly. He added that Norcold and Dometic have issued recall notices for their refrigerators due to fire danger and that if you receive one, you should take care of it right away. Something else that may seem obvious but worth mentioning, according to Foster, is that recreational vehicles, like homes, have appliances such as ovens and heaters, and that owners need to make sure they are turned off before they leave. Driving with propane on can add to the danger if you are involved in... Read more

A Tire-some Expense

 By the Never-Bored RVers The fact that we have bought 11 RV tires in the past four years does not make us experts on RV tires, but we have learned a few things that may have saved us money and agony.  No matter what type RV you use, this is applicable to you. We owned a 22-foot light weight trailer that we loaded up right to the 5,000-pound GVWR limit and drove across the U.S. and back for a year.  We had two blow-outs caused when I scraped the sides of the tires on the edge of narrow roadways, plus we wore out the original four tires.  Since they were 14” tires, the cost wasn’t too bad, but we would have preferred to use that money for more enjoyable pursuits. On our way to Death Valley this week pulling our 28-foot Bigfoot, we stopped off to have our wheel alignment checked, concerned because of what we considered unusual wear on the outsides of the front tires in our two-axle tandem.  We learned that: 1) axles were correctly arched upward to compensate for the weight and bounce of the trailer, and 2) that our wheels were aligned, so that was not the problem. There was no problem, except for the way tandem tires wear.  We were told that when we turn sharply, the tires actually skid along the road surface.  We are on the move a lot, often backing into a half-dozen or more campgrounds each month, so the wear is not unusual.  Well, that should have made us feel better about the situation, but an hour later we forked over $800 for a set of new 10-ply LT tires.  Ouch! And,... Read more

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. Read more  Read More →

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