RV Consumer Learning Center
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Hello again,

Our new  RV Online Training Program   was well received and I would like to thank everyone who took time to write and comment on the new program. In appreciation of all of our newsletter subscribers we would like to offer a 10% off coupon for any video or e-book course you enroll in, good for the entire month of March. Just click on the link above, select any course you like, click on enroll and enter the code RV101SUBSCRIBER

We are excited to continue adding new video training content to the site, and at some point we will bundle packages that apply to certain types of RVs and offer the bundled sets at a discount.  Enough on that for now.

Depending on where you reside, March brings us closer to the 2018 camping season. Lots of folks have enjoyed camping throughout the year, while others are still snowed in, but it's never too early to start thinking about making some RV spring checks. Make sure you view this month's RV videos; one video offers some helpful RV spring checks and the other video highlights why and how you exercise your RV generator when it is in storage.

And, don't miss my short article below when I reveal what happened to me before leaving on a recent RV trip.  

Enjoy the newsletter, and if you have family or friends who like RVs and the RV lifestyle share with them. Happy Camping in 2018.

Mark
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Enjoy the RV Journey
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:




Watch the video to learn more about the importance of weight distribution
 Feature Article -  Thinking about Buying an RV? Visit an RV Show First
 RV shows, like boat shows, are intended to introduce the new model year RVs, and to help disseminate RV related information to the consumer. RV shows are typically scheduled during the slower time of the year, the winter months, to help jump start the RV dealer's 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 RVs under one roof, making it the ideal environment to conduct research and make informed RV buying decisions. Read More
All packed up & ready to go - but read what happened to me before leaving on a recent RV trip!

If you camp a lot, at one time or another you probably witnessed a fellow camper leaving the campground with the TV antenna in the raised positioned, or the steps out. These mistakes are pretty common and can happen to veteran RV owners as fast as it happens to new RV owners. 

The solution to this problem is to use a pre-trip checklist prior to moving the RV. After the pre-trip checks are completed I recommend one final walk-around of the RV to double check everything; you will be surprised at what you forgot to do or overlooked.

A while back, we had our RV parked in the driveway with everything loaded and my pre-trip checks completed the day prior to leaving on our trip. The next morning I was sitting in the driver's seat with the engine running, waiting for Dawn. When she came in the RV I told her to make sure the step was in, and that's when she asked "Are you going to unplug the power cord before we leave?" I broke my golden rule, I did everything except my final walk-around, and if it wasn't for Dawn I would have damaged the garage door the power cord, the receptacle and the RV. 

Not the way you want to start your RV trip! 

The moral of the story is to do what I say, not as I do! But seriously; I always make a final walk-around, and the one time I didn't (because we were running a little late) it could have cost me dearly. Follow a pre-trip checklist before you move the RV, and don't forget the final walk-around.

If you don't have a pre-trip checklist, we offer an RV e-book course with checklists on every RV topic imaginable at  www.rvonlinetraining.com
 
Once there click on The Original Checklists for RVers, click on enroll and enter the coupon code RV101SUBSCRIBER to get a 10% discount. 

PS I learned my lesson, regardless of time or circumstances I walk around the RV one final time before we pull out.  Mark
RV Videos of the Month
 
 As camping season gets closer it's time to start thinking about RV spring checks. When your RV sits in storage lots of unexpected stuff can happen to it, especially if it is stored outside. In this RV how to video I want go over five RV spring checks I think are absolutely essential to help prepare your RV for another fun-filled camping season. Watch Now


There are several important reasons for exercising your RV generator. In this RV how-to video Mark explains why and how to exercise and protect your generator when the RV is in storage. Watch Now

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

  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 RV Online Training Site


Take a minute to visit our  new RV Online Training Program

Are you interested in learning more about your RV? Our new online RV video training courses can be viewed on computers, tablets, and smartphones. All of our courses includes written text, video segments. related articles written by your instructor, helpful tips & tricks, fun play & learn RV University crossword puzzles and quizzes to help you retain the information.  click for more info or to enroll

How-to Dewinterize the RV Plumbing System

I like to start my spring RV preparation by dewinterizing the RV plumbing system. Depending on how your unit was winterized it needs to be dewinterized, but make sure the freezing temperatures are over for the season before you do. 

Basically what needs to be done is to flush all of the non-toxic RV antifreeze out of the RV plumbing system. Chances are, on average you used 2 to 3 gallons of RV antifreeze to winterize the unit. The easiest method is to flush the RV antifreeze out by running fresh water through the water system, either through the city water inlet or the fresh water holding tank, using the 12-volt water pump. Open all of the faucets (hot & cold) and run potable water through the system until it flows clear. All remnants of the antifreeze will go into the holding tanks and can be emptied at a dump station later.

If for any reason you added RV antifreeze to the fresh water holding tank it will need to be drained before adding any potable water to the fresh water tank. 

Note: You will need to decide the best method for draining and disposing of the RV antifreeze. Most RV antifreeze is biodegradable and safe to the environment, but you should check before disposing of it. It can be drained into a large bucket and then disposed of properly. 
Another method, if the RV antifreeze you used is biodegradable, is to open drains and drain the non-toxic RV antifreeze from the system into a container. If you do not have a bypass kit on the water heater you need to drain the antifreeze from the water heater too, but keep in mind it could be 6 or 10 gallons depending on the size of water heater tank.

After draining the antifreeze close all of the drains.  Re-connect the outside shower hose if it was removed.  To remove antifreeze from the 12-volt water pump add potable water to the fresh water holding tank, turn the pump on and open all water faucets. Run water through the system until clear and then turn the pump off.

Take the water heater out of the bypass mode and hook your drinking water hose up to the city water inlet. Turn the water on and open all water faucets (hot & cold).
Run fresh water through  the system for several minutes . Don't forget the outside shower if equipped. It will take a couple of minutes to fill the water heater tank before water will flow out of the hot water faucets.

Fill and flush the toilet. Add some additional water to the black water holding tank and treat it with a holding tank treatment so it is ready for use.   Re-install any water filter cartridges you removed prior to winterizing.  With pressure on the system check the entire water system for leaks. 

The RV plumbing system is dewinterized. ~ RV 101
RV Consumer Magazine Archives

The link below goes 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. 


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