RV Consumer Learning Center
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Summer is here and then it is gone! That pretty much sums up how I have felt this entire year so far. When I sat down to work on the newsletter I was shocked it was August already. I guess there is some truth to the saying "the older we get the faster time goes." 

I feel the same way when we take an RV trip.  For weeks or months leading up to the trip you look forward to a well deserved two-week vacation. You are excited to leave on your trip and can't wait to get to your vacation destination. When you arrive the first couple of days are great while you leisurely relax and take it all in. The next thing you know you are packing everything up, wondering where the last two weeks went. 

We have been extremely busy in 2017 and so far have only taken a couple short trips in the RV. I always say it's important to plan RV trips in advance and then plan your schedule around those dates. I did not take my own advice this year and that explains why it is August and I am sitting here wondering where the first half of the year went. 

My plan for the remainder of 2017 is to schedule a few RV trips on the calendar and plan my work schedule around those dates. That way I can look forward to the RV trip dates arriving, and when one trip comes abruptly to an end there will be another one planned in the not so distant future. 

We have been working hard on a brand new project that will go a long way in helping educate RV owners and potential owners on how to properly use and maintain their RVs. It is a new blog site titled RV 101 with Mark Polk. It is in the early stages, but eventually it will be packed with helpful articles and videos in categories like beginning RVer, RV maintenance, RV products and RV tips & tricks. When you visit the site be sure to click on the follow tab so you are notified every time a new post is released. Take a few minutes to check our new site out now

Enjoy the newsletter, and if you have family or friends who like RVs and the RV lifestyle share with them. Happy Camping in 2017.

Mark
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Enjoy the RV Journey
RV Holding Tank Tips
Sewer Hose Length
Have you ever arrived at your camping destination only to realize the RV sewer hose wasn't long enough to reach the sewer drain outlet?  To help solve the problem I recommend keeping some RV sewer extension hoses on hand in the RV. I personally keep a 2-foot, 5-foot and 10-foot extension hose in the RV, in addition to a 20-foot drain hose.
Sewer Hose Tip
Do not pull or drag the sewer hose on the ground. Dragging the hose can cause it to tear or get pin holes in it.

Holding Tank Flushing
After you empty the holding tanks you need to thoroughly rinse and flush the black water tank. Some RVs have a built-in system for flushing the holding tanks. If not there are other ways to do it like using  a tank cleaning wand designed to clean and flush the black tank. 

Controlling Holding Tank Odors
Water will assist a great deal in controlling holding tank odors. After you empty the holding tank add enough water to completely cover the bottom of the tank. You always want the contents of the tank to be covered by water. Add plenty of water to the toilet bowl each time you flush the toilet.

Gray Water Holding Tank
Over time grease and residue will  collect  in the gray water tank and it can cause a foul odor. Periodically treat the gray tank with environmentally safe holding tank treatments to avoid odors from the tank. When the tank is empty you can also add some dish washing liquid and water down the drains to help break down grease and residue.

Gloves
Always wear gloves when you are working on or around the RV waste-water system. Disposable gloves work well and come in handy for other jobs too.   
      
Need a Sway Control Hitch?

Check out the hitch Mark uses. The Original  Equal-i-zer Sway control hitch has been enjoyed by thousands of trailer owners for over 50 years. Learn more about the Equal-i-zer hitch, and find out which hitch will work best for you:


RV Feature Article

  Is Downsizing RVs in your Future?
When I sold RVs I remember telling customers once they own an RV with a slide-out it is hard to go back to one with no slide-out. I should heed my own advice when it comes to downsizing RVs, especially when the RV you downsize to can fit in the living room of your other RV!.  Read More 
Looking for RV Insurance

Explorer RV Insurance Agency is pleased to announce our 'Quote your own RV Insurance' tool.  In less than 10 minutes, an RV owner in most states can get an indication of the cost for our RV insurance, for the coverage limits and options you desire.  

          Get Your Quote Now
RV Videos of the Month


When you travel in your RV you never know what kind of cell phone signal you will get.  When you need a reliable signal for voice and data it can be frustrating when the signal is weak. One solution to weak cell phone signals for RV owners is the weBoost Drive 4GX RV cellular signal booster, and in this RV how to video Mark Polk with RV Education 101 demonstrates how to install the system on your RV.
                        


In this RV how to video host Mark Polk with RV Education 101 discusses the top 5 emergency items he feels every RV owner should keep in their RV.


RV Breaking News
Are you interested in keeping up with breaking news about the RV industry? If so  visit RV Business

Read my "guest view" article in the July/August  issue of

   RV History
1931 Mae West Housecar
This 1931 housecar was was used by Paramount Studios to get Mae West to leave the Vaudeville circuit and start making movies for Paramount. It was designed as a chauffer driven lounge to transport Mae West from the hotel to the shooting locations. The housecar featured a small hot plate stove, an icebox and a small table for lunch or a cup of tea.

If you like RVs and enjoy history you should plan an RV trip to the RV Museum & Hall of Fame in Elkhart, Indiana. 
  Tired of dead batteries?

Stop the problem for good with the charger, maintainer & conditioner that Mark uses on all of his batteries.  The Battery Minder

                                  Visit our new Blog


Take a minute to visit our new RV 101 with Mark Polk blog

RV 101 with Mark Polk is an educational blog site for new and experienced RVers. There are helpful and informative article in four distinct categories: Beginning RVer, RV DIY & Maintenance,RV products and RV Tips & Tricks. Be sure and click on the follow tab so you are notified every time a new post is released.  Visit the new site now


RV Buzz Tip: RV Safety
Carbon Monoxide Safety & Awareness

Each year, when prime camping season is upon us I like to remind folks about the dangers of carbon monoxide gas. Carbon monoxide (CO) gas is invisible, odorless, and deadly! It is produced by the partial combustion of solid, liquid and gaseous fuels. This includes gasoline, propane, natural gas, oil, wood, & coal.

It is extremely serious when combustion by-products are not vented outside, or when you are exposed to any source of CO gas. Carbon Monoxide is the number one cause of poisoning deaths each year. Carbon monoxide poisoning is toxic and can be deadly to both humans and animals. CO poisoning occurs after enough carbon monoxide gas is inhaled. The severity of the CO poisoning depends on the level of CO gas you are exposed to, and the duration of the exposure. The good news is the threat of CO poisoning can be lessened through awareness and education. Let's take a look at what we can do to prevent the danger of carbon monoxide poisoning.

A problem I see at campgrounds, and that I get asked about frequently, is how to back a trailer into a campsite. Backing a trailer is perhaps the most nerve-racking part of owning a travel trailer or 5th wheel trailer. For some RV owners just the thought of backing the trailer prevents them from taking trips and enjoying their RV. Based on my observations at campgrounds backing a trailer has probably contributed to more than one failed marriage too. 
RV Education 101 Product of the Month
  
The RV Book

The RV Book simplifies all aspects of RV ownership; from selecting and buying the right RV to setting it up at your favorite campground. What type of RV is right for you? How do I tow or drive an RV? How do I safely use an RV? How do I take care of my new RV? Get all your answers and more by reading The RV Book by Mark J. Polk 

                        MORE INFO    
      
               Print book only $19.95 

                                                                 E-book only $17.95  

RV Consumer Magazine Archives

The link below go to archives of our RV Consumer Magazine magazine issues. These past issues offer great information for RV owners, but keep in mind any offers or specials in these archived issues may no longer apply. The top link goes to the Flip book  formatted issues and the bottom link goes to the PDF formatted issues.
Planning an RV Adventure?    Stay at KOAs Along the Way



 Our digital RV Product Catalog puts all of our RV training products in one place, and we separate what products apply to what type of RV. For example if you own a travel trailer you can browse through the single DVD titles or go directly to the DVD value sets that apply specifically to travel trailers. 


RV Education 101
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