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

ENHANCING YOUR VISIT

By Barry Zander, Edited by Monique Zander, the Never-Bored RVers If the title of this blog were really what it’s about, most people wouldn’t bother opening it, but I’ll try to make it worth your time to read on. Arriving at The Getty in L.A. A few days ago we visited the J.P. Getty Museum in Los Angeles.  In addition to being housed in a true work of modern art, and in addition to having free admission, this is a place to see if you’re in the area.  But that only touches on “the where,” not “the what” that this is about. “The What” is actually two-fold.  It’s about expanding any museum experience, and it’s about my wondering, “Why is the photographic art on the walls ‘art’ and my photography just photography?  Let’s take them one at a time. Whenever Monique and I visit a museum of any kind, whether it’s high art, classic cars or American natives history, I try to engage the docents or guards in conversation, asking, “What shouldn’t I miss in this room or in the museum?”  When I first started doing this, Monique was skeptical … until she heard the kinds of answers it elicited. “If you look closely, you’ll see the artist’s lover in the purple swirl.”  Or “It was Smith’s earliest work, so there are inconsistencies that show how her artistry developed,” or “It’s here because the curator wants it here.  Makes no sense to me.”   I laughed when I heard something close to that at the Getty. How DID Claude Monet See... 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

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

ONE MORE CHANCE

By Barry Zander, Edited by Monique Zander, the Never-Bored RVers Did you post your favorites? We were absolutely inundated with replies to last week’s blog about your favorite places and where you want to go RVing. SO FAR (that’s a hint at what this article is all about) … SO FAR, Yellowstone National Park is the leading spot of responders’ favorite places.  The Canadian Maritime Provinces leads the pack in areas people want to visit (EDITOR’S NOTE:  It’s on our itinerary for 2013). Some of you may not have told us your Top 5 or what’s on your Wish List of spots you want to visit.  Please remember, this is not like sitting on Santa’s lap and telling him what you want to find under the tree next Sunday. What this has evolved into is an excellent quick list of where to point your rig in the years ahead.  It’s a good basis for planning.  For instance, lots of folks "Hay Stacks" Along the Oregon Coast listed the Oregon Coast as a favorite.  That is a good beginning point for researching if it’s a destination you might want to set on your GPS (EDITOR’S NOTE:  It’s among our favorites). Another benefit for well-traveled RVers: as I promulgated your responses and read many of them to Monique, it brought back fond memories.  What a magnificent week we spent at Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota, a place we rarely think about.  Just reading the name was like returning to a beautiful, interesting spot. Canoes Built to the Voyageurs' Plans... Read more

Gourmet Italian Guest RV Cooking Show

Italian food has become standard fare here in America. It seems everywhere you visit you’ll find Olive Garden or even a Pizza Hut. But look a little harder and you’ll discover establishments serving delicious, authentic, makes-magic-in-your-mouth Italian with recipes passed down from generation to generation. That’s exactly what I found during my stay at Flying Flags RV Resort in Buellton, CA. In fact, I was looking for a celebrity chef to film a show with me. Luckily for all of us, the resort’s manager, Dan Baumann, is a bona fide foodie and had just the man for me – Chef Giorgio Curti of the famous Santa Ynez eatery Trattoria Grappolo. Upon hearing the news I did what every fun-loving RV Cooking Show host would do – planned a party!! But instead of filming in Studio A (our Jayco 5-er) Dan graciously offered a big, beautiful park model cottage. Nice! In this episode – Gourmet Guests – you’ll enjoy the fruits of our labor. Chef Giorgio prepares 3 absolutely amazing dishes for us: a seafood pasta, grilled sliced beef with arugula and a burrata citronella salad. Amazing! And don’t shy away, they only sound fancy and complex. Chef Giorgio specializes in easy and elegant. He made these terrific dishes “rustic” in honor of our outdoor lifestyle. Served up with some fine Santa Barbara County wine – Mosby Dolcetto for one – it was a fabulous feast that you don’t want to miss out on. Sure enough,... Read more

WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN, WHERE ARE YOU GOING?

By Barry Zander, Edited by Monique Zander, the Never-Bored RVers This is Part I.  I’d like you to write Part II. “What’s your favorite place in your travels?”  How many times have we been asked that!  Our favorite place for RVing is North America.  I like to say our list of specific places is practically endless. In response to a letter we received last week from Nancy, I responded: Favorite places:  for me, everywhere.  For Monique, everywhere except crossing the Texas deserts and the Great Plains, but she realizes that it helps us appreciate other places.  There is nothing like western Canada and Alaska by RV, but in the contiguous states, so far we would say the Arkansas Ozarks; Idaho and Montana; Key West (military campground); Utah and the Northwest from Northern California upward.  I could go on and list another 10 or 20 favorites, but you’ll find out when you’re on the road.  We like changing scenery — the desert, the forests, the mountains, lakeside, riverside, oceanside.  Monique just interjected:  ”Tell them Bryce Canyon,”  ”The Great Lakes,” “What we like may not be what they like.” I’m now asking you to answer these two questions: 1) What are the favorite places you’ve been? and 2) Where are you going? In the comments section, just list up to five favorites from your travels and up to five places you want to visit. Please be brief.  Just list them … unless there’s something we should... Read more

YOUR DESTINATION ‘WISH LIST’

By Barry Zander, Edited by Monique Zander, the Never-Bored RVers Where to your want to point your RV in 2012? __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ For many of us, the holidays are an excellent time to plan for the days ahead when the weather warms up.   Have you thought about where you want to go and how to get there? Envision Spring -- Travel Time Ahead Those of you who use your RV to hop between the homes of parents or to impose on your kids and grandkids in distant states, you have an obvious starting point on your planning. Over the years we have crossed paths with lots of people who travel with a checklist at their side – “We want to visit all state capitals … visit the highest peak in each state … go to a different music festival every weekend … etc.”  Snowbirds will be packing up in two to four months to head north, ready to resume their alter-personalities on solid ground.  The point is, you may soon be on the move, heading for destinations. Here’s our recommendation:  Don’t just look at Point A (where you are now) and Point B (what you want to get to). Think outside the box – or more appropriately off the ribbon of interstate that can get you to Point B the fastest.  We suggest that you route yourself through at least one state park or national park on your way to your ultimate destination. Monique and I are journey folks.  We set our sights on... Read more

Should the government sell off our public lands?

By Bob Difley Suggestions are circulating around congress during these times when state and federal governments are finding it difficult to meet expenses that government should sell off “excess” government property to raise the necessary funding to continue to operate. Some of this excess property has been identified as public lands–national forests, wilderness areas, and desert lands now owned by us, the citizens of this country. Others consider this approach as short-sighted, citing the fact that once they are sold off they will never again become public lands available for our recreational use. The sales of these properties would also result in job and revenue losses in the surrounding communities, as many tour operators, rafting companies, fishing supply stores, fishing equipment manufacturers, camping supply stores and manufacturers, hunting supply stores, and other outfitters would have to shut down and lay off employees. And, of course, it would also mean diminished land for use by RVers for camping, boondocking, and sightseeing, and shut down the revenue flow we RVers spend in local communities for supplies, restaurants, and other services. This fact has been clearly demonstrated when various states started closing down state parks and the surrounding communities took and big economic hit because the visitors to the area suddenly vanished. RVers, hunters, and anglers would be especially affected, as in some cases they have already been by the implementation... Read more

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