RV Consumer Magazine February 2012

The February issue of RV Consumer Magazine was just released by RV Education 101. In this issue we discuss RVing with pets, aftermarket RV products, RV owner maintenance mishaps, snowbirds and much more. All of this great RV information is just a click away. If you haven’t heard of the magazine it is a digital magazine, in a flip-book style format, delivered online by subscription. It is free of charge and your e-mail address will never be sold or used for anything other than delivering our RV e-newsletter and RV Consumer e-Magazine. For up to the minute RV news and information take a minute to subscribe and start receiving these information packed e-publications right now. Both “RV University this Week” e-newsletter and “RV Consumer e-Magazine” are loaded with useful RV information and knowledge on RV products, RV how-to topics, RV reviews, RV destinations, RV videos and other general RV information. Our goal is to be your premier provider for RV information and assistance through various RV educational outlets. If you are experience trouble with the CAPCHA code (prevents SPAM) while signing up for the newsletter please send an e-mail to Dawn with Newsletter sign-up in the subject line and we will get you signed up for the magazine: dawn@rveducation101.com Happy RV Learning. Mark Polk RV Education 101 RV University  Read More →

Solving The RV Foggy Window Syndrome

Almost all motor homes have thermopane-type dual glazed windows that act as insulation and prevent interior condensation. Between these pieces of glass is a dry air that will not form moisture when subjected to temperature changes. However, all that changes when the seal between these two glass pieces become compromised and develops a leak. I use the term “When” in lieu of “If” because over time most, if not all, will suffer this failure. Over time it is subjected to movement, vibration, altitude pressure variances and of course, the harsh temperature changes and environment conditions. There are 4 or 5 glass manufacturers that all the RV builders use, so no matter which brand of RV you have, all will eventually fail. So, what do you do when foggy windows strike? You could replace them at the RV maker’s factory or authorized dealer. But that can be very costly. The preferred method, however, is to have them repaired or actually refurbished. There are several companies that offer this type of service and may well do a good job. One such company, located in Hudson, Florida, SunCoast Designers, specializes in this field. They offer a number of 50 amp, water equipped RV sites as well as an on-site dump station. The process is far more involved than I had imagined. They remove the window(s) from the coaches while they are sitting in the serviced lots and then plastic seal the hole(s) temporarily while the window refurbishing takes place. Inside the plant,... Read more

Update: Developing electric vehicle battery technology

By Bob Difley A lot of hype and optimism attach to press releases and news reports on not only the future growth of electric vehicles (inevitable) but also in what will be the jump start to propel them  fully into the mainstream. Though electric vehicle market saturation is only in the single digits, we hear a lot about the Nisson Leaf and Chevy Volt (photo), and it seems that every other automobile and light truck manufacturer – including dozens of start-ups around the world – are jumping on the bandwagon and trying to catch up with the market leaders. For RVers, we can hope for development of electric dinghys that will re-charge from the main RV engine while towing or from a plug-in at campgrounds and public re-charging spots while on the road. Light trucks must have enough torque to pull a small trailer or carry the weight of a small motorhome.  And of course, range and cost are currently the problems. Hybrids, where you have the power and range of a supplemental gasoline engine such as in the Prius and Volt, are the logical interim step to full electric like the Tesla or Leaf. But they will not become a hit with most mainstream car buyers until a battery–or other energy storage system–can deliver on reduced size, lighter weight, lower price, and a range of at least 300 miles. Progress is being made by research institutions such as Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LAL) in Berkeley, California, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.... Read more

New RV Consumer e-Magazine

There is a brand new digital magazine available for the RV consumer. RV Education 101 owner, Mark Polk explained, “I have been entertaining the thought of a consumer driven RV e-magazine for some time now. We published a trial issue last December to test the waters, and it was well received. At the time my thoughts were to publish the e-magazine quarterly, but with the level of interest the first issue received we made the decision to distribute the magazine monthly.” The new publication is titled RV Consumer e-Magazine. It is a digital magazine in a flip-book style format that is delivered online by subscription. It is free of charge and your e-mail address will never be sold or used for anything other than delivering our RV e-newsletter and RV Consumer e-Magazine. For up to the minute RV news and information take a minute to subscribe and start receiving these information packed e-publications. Both “RV University this Week” e-newsletter and “RV Consumer e-Magazine” are loaded with useful RV information and knowledge on RV products, RV how-to topics, RV Reviews, RV destinations, RV videos and other general RV information. Our goal is to be your premier provider for RV information and assistance through various educational outlets. If you are having trouble with the CAPCHA code (prevents SPAM) while signing up for the newsletter, send an e-mail to Dawn with Newsletter sign-up as the subject, and we will get you signed up: dawn@rveducation101.com... Read more

How to Get FREE eBooks (for Kindle, Nook, iPad, etc.)

We RV campers love our eReaders. Many of you have purchased my own ebooks, and for that I am grateful. Long Long Honeymoon – Living Large in a Small Tin Can has been ranked one of the top 20 books in Amazon’s Travelogues section. The book is doing well on Nook also. Of course the almost-but-not-quite-free price ($2.99) won’t dent anyone’s pocket too much. VIDEO: How to Get FREE eBooks A wise philosopher once said, “the only thing better than cheap beer is free beer.” So let’s talk about ways to get free beer — err, free books — for your ereader. Free ebooks are much easier to find than free beer. One of the simplest (if not the best) methods to find free books is to search your eReader store. But instead of searching for words, search for numbers: “0.00.” We illustrate this method in our video. The “0.00″ trick may not retrieve every free book in the catalog, but you’ll get a hearty supply of material from the likes of Mark Twain, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Jane Austen, and Charles Dickens. Put these books on your eReader and your IQ will automatically jump 10 points. The greatest authors of all time... FREE! There are also some free trashy romance novels (for those of you who are into that sort of thing – you know who you are). Note that these may actually drop your IQ, so if you’re reading NASCAR Hotties Part IV, it’s best to also download a copy of Great Expectations. Ironically,... Read more

RVSEF to conduct RV Lifestyle, Education & Safety Conference in Bowling Green

By Bob Difley Years ago I was fortunate to be able to teach classes at the Life On Wheels RV Conferences. But unfortunately, the program no longer exists due to the death of its founder and head cheerleader, Gaylord Maxwell. It was an excellent learning program with offerings for wannabee RVers to old hands brushing up. One of the other instructors was Walter Cannon, who offered classes–like his driving and safety classes–through his Recreation Vehicle Safety & Education Foundation (RVSEF). He has since brought his program to other venues across the country and in partnering with North Hampton Community College in Bowling Green, Kentucky, will again offer his “Behind the Wheel” driving classes (which will be held at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green) as part of RVSEF’s RV Lifestyle, Education & Safety Conference in 2012 on May 18 – 20. To register call RVSEF @ 321-453-7673 or email them. Check out my website for RVing tips and destinations and for my ebooks, BOONDOCKING: Finding the Perfect Campsite on America’s Public Lands (or for Kindle version), Snowbird Guide to Boondocking in the Southwestern Deserts (Kindle version), and 111 Ways to Get the Biggest Bang out of your RV Lifestyle Dollar (Kindle version).  Read More →

Let’s Talk NOOK !

Let’s Talk NOOK ! Recently I wrote an article about the Amazon Kindle (one appropriately if unimaginatively titled Let’s Talk KINDLE !). The crux of my essay was that e-readers are the best thing to hit RV’s since flush toilets. There are many e-readers available for your purchasing pleasure. One of the most popular rhymes with “book.” Why did I choose to focus on Kindle? Conspiracy theories abound. Am I biased? Have I loaded up our investment portfolio on AMZN? Or am I merely an Amazon fanboy who wears Jeff Bezos pajamas? Nah. While I may be a bit of an Amazon fanboy, I wrote about Kindle because Amazon is currently KING KONG of the e-reader world. Yes, if recent sales figures are to be believed, Amazon is now perched on a skyscraper high above E-Reader Metropolis with Fay Wray sitting on its lap. Or is that Jeff Bezos in a dress? Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos in a dress? This is wrong on many levels. Anyway, with Kindles selling faster than mouse ears at Disney World, it’s good to be King Kong. But if there’s a pesky swarm of biplanes on the horizon, it’s the Barnes & Noble NOOK. The author's book on his wife's NOOK. The Nook is a series of e-reader devices sold by everyone’s favorite brick-and-mortar bookstore behemoth. These range from inexpensive e-ink readers (Nook Simple Touch) to more robust tablets (Nook Color & Nook Tablet). You can buy Nooks online, in 90,000-square-foot bookstores, in shady back alleys,... Read more

7 Step Process to a Wise RV Buying Decision

Buying an RV is a major purchase decision. We don’t take the decision to buy a house lightly, and buying an RV is no different. You need to do your research and be well informed to make the best buying decision possible. Let’s take a look at my 7 step process to a wise RV buying decision. Step 1: Try before you buy This is perhaps the most important step of the process. It can be difficult to determine if an RV is right for you if you have never used one. Plan a weekend or week-long trip and rent an RV to try it before you buy. Renting an RV can be a good indicator to gauge if an RV is in your future. Another option is to spend a weekend at a campground that rents RV’s already set up on site. My only caution is that you don’t confuse not liking RV’s with not understanding how an RV works. If the rental dealer doesn’t give you a thorough orientation of the RV, or offer an instructional DVD you should consider purchasing a RV training DVD prior to renting the RV. Knowing how everything on the RV works can make the experience much more enjoyable. Step 2: Attend an RV show RV shows, like boat shows, are intended to introduce the new model year RV’s and to help disseminate RV related information to the RV consumer. RV shows are usually scheduled during the slower time of the year, the winter months, to help jump start the selling season. RV dealers from miles away will bring their wares to these shows. For the buyer RV shows put everything you need to see and learn about... Read more

Tips to a Long Lasting Generator

If a generator is properly maintained and cared for it is quite possible it will last longer than the RV itself. Here are some of my tips to a long lasting generator. 1)      Carbon Monoxide Poisoning:  My first tip won’t extend the life of your RV’s generator, but it could save someone’s life. Carbon Monoxide gas is invisible, odorless and deadly. If for any reason your RV does not have a functioning CO gas detector you need to purchase and install one designed for use in Recreation Vehicles (follow the manufacturer instructions for proper installation). Test the CO detector for proper operation prior to each RV trip. Inspect the generator exhaust system before starting the generator, and never run the generator set with a damaged or leaking exhaust system. Do not leave windows open when running the generator and do not park in close proximity to obstacles like buildings or other RVs when running the generator set. Be cautious of other RV owners running their generators close to where you are parked, and never sleep while the generator is running.  2)      Preventive Maintenance: The key to a long lasting generator set is periodic maintenance. When it comes to generator sets we are primarily concerned with two types of maintenance, preventive maintenance and routine maintenance. Both can add years of life to your generator set. Preventive maintenance is maintenance you perform on your generator before a problem exists. These checks are designed to prevent... Read more

RV Poll Results (4th Installment)

Every few months I like to post some of our previous RV poll results. I think it makes for some interesting reading. You can see how other RV enthusiasts responded to various RV related topics and it might make you consider an aspect about RVing you haven’t considered in the past. Keep in mind that these RV poll’s are only intended to give me some idea of what our newsletter readers are interested in, how they use their RVs, and of course just for fun.         RV Poll Question: What is your favorite season of the year to use your RV? RV Poll Response: Spring 8%, Summer 25%, Fall 35%, Winter 3%, Year Round 28% RV Poll Question: Have you ever had any plumbing lines freeze in your RV? RV Poll Response: Yes 24%, No 76% RV Poll Question: Do you treat the fuel system in your RV, or any other gasoline powered equipment, with a fuel preservative while sitting in storage? RV Poll Response: Yes RV 11%, Yes other equipment 22%, Yes both RV & equipment 34%, No 25%, NA 8% RV Poll Question: Do you travel in your RV with the propane cylinders, or tank, turned on or turned off? RV Poll Response: Turned on 73%, Turned off 27% RV Poll Question: Do you plan to use your RV more in 2011 than you did in 2010? RV Poll Response: Yes 73%, No 22%, New RV owner in 2011 5% RV Poll Question: I purchased my first RV from: RV Poll Response: Dealer 59%, Private owner 35%, Family member 2%, Friend 3%, Given to me 1% RV Poll Question: Do the passengers in your motorhome wear seatbelts while traveling? RV... Read more

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