RV 101: ENJOY YOUR RV: Don’t give up on your dreams of exploring the country in your RV; plan to make your dreams come true. You worked hard to buy the RV, now you need to work just as hard on enjoying your RV. Plan your RV trip, load it up, hook it up, fuel it up and JUST RV IT!”
Adopt Mark Polk's slogan “JUST RV IT” in your RV household!
“We purchase RVs to go on adventures, explore the country and to build lasting memories with our family and friends," he explained. "Too often our dreams of traveling in our RV get pushed aside because of busy schedules, work and a lack of prior planning.”
Polk's goal is to help RVers learn more about how to enjoy RVing. He created the RVConsumer.com website, which is full of information like free checklists, camping resources, a place to share stories, pictures and much more to enhance the full RV experience.
“It doesn’t matter if you take an overnight trip 20 miles away from home or a 1,000-mile week-long RV adventure, the important thing is you JUST RV IT!” he said.
Polk’s advice is to plan your RV trips. “Lots of folks buy an RV only to not use it very often. It’s sad to see the enthusiasm and expectations people have for traveling in their RV diminish to it sitting idle in the driveway for extended periods of time," said Polk. "I am sure owners have many valid reasons for not using the RV like the weather, lack of funds and time constraints, however it is my belief that the real culprit is a lack of planning. I would like to help get that excitement and enthusiasm back."
"Remember the 5 Ps -- Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance. When you plan a trip you take a trip, even if it’s just for a quick weekend getaway. I really do believe it’s that simple,” he said.
He went on to explain that planning an RV trip in advance solves all the reasons people come up with as to why they should not use the RV.
“When you pencil-in a date on the calendar you set aside a block of time to use the RV," said Polk. "Planning an RV trip in advance gives you time to budget money for the trip and to make any necessary arrangements to go on the trip.
“Don’t give up on your dreams of exploring the country in your RV; instead plan to make your dreams come true," he added. "You worked hard to buy the RV, now you need to work just as hard on enjoying your RV. Plan your RV trip, load it up, hook it up, fuel it up and 'JUST RV IT!'”
Question: When we are not using our RV, this could be for several months at a time, should I start the engine every week or so?
Mark’s Answer: I always add a fuel preservative to the fuel tank when our unit will sit idle for more than a couple months at a time. I run the engine and the generator long enough for the preservative to get through the fuel system. But, I still think it’s good to start and run the engine and generator at least monthly when in storage. It allows the oil to lubricate the dry components of the engine. When you run the generator be sure and run it with at least a half rated load on and if try to run it for at least an hour. You should be able to find the load ratings in the generator owners manual.
Something I never leave home without is a quality tire pressure gauge. Like everything else these days’ things are switching from analog to digital. Analog tire pressure gauges were the standard for many years, but advancements in digital technology have improved on that standard. In numerous tests comparing different type gauges digital gauges proved to be the most accurate tested. Regardless of the type of gauge you choose there are high quality and low quality tire gauges available. Buying a cheap digital gauge would be the same as buying a cheap pencil type gauge. I never leave home without this digital tire pressure gauge by Tire Minder . Here are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to tire pressure gauges:
1) Spend a few more dollars and get a quality pressure gauge.
2) If the gauge will be used for checking dual wheels on a motorhome the chuck end of the gauge should have a dual foot design to make the job much easier.
3) Always select a gauge rated higher than the inflation pressure of the tires you are checking. Applying more pressure than the gauge is rated for can damage the gauge and affect the accuracy. If you over-pressure a gauge have it tested for accuracy. This gauge is rated up to 150 psi.
4) Try not to drop or jar the gauge. Store the gauge in some type of protective covering or case and in an area where it won’t be hit or damaged.
5) Periodically have the gauge tested for accuracy. At a minimum compare it to another quality gauge to see if both read the same, or close to the same pressure.
6) Most importantly, once you purchase a quality pressure gauge use it on a regular basis to check your RV and automobile tires.
Are you ready for an RV trip in 2012? Why not head to Branson Missouri. Campers rate the Branson KOA campground high in customer service, facilities and amenities.
Let’s head to Branson and see what the KOA has to offer.
The Branson KOA is located less than a mile from the entertainment strip. Have breakfast in the convention center, let the staff make your Branson show reservations, then relax in shuttles to your favorite show, shopping or dinner location. Branson is “the Show Capital of the World” featuring over 100 shows a day at 45 theatres offering every array of music and entertainment. You can find Country, Motown, Rock ‘n’ Roll, and Broadway just to name a few.
Branson Landing’s Winter Wonder Landing doesn’t end after the holiday season, as the 100 shops and restaurants and the beautiful winter décor continue to warmly welcome guests visiting Branson Landing.
Facilities at the Branson KOA include more than 150 full-hookup 50-amp sites, cable TV and Wi-Fi, and rental units featuring camping cabins, cottages, and new lodges, many with bathrooms. Enjoy air-conditioned bathrooms and remodeled laundries. This KOA has Branson’s largest group and reunion facilities. Work with the event planner for catering, entertainment and transportation needs. The KOA Café features pizza, ice cream, homemade fudge, gifts, souvenirs and a large selection of RV parts and accessories. The new location puts you in the center of all the action.
There is plenty to do in Branson regardless of the time of year you go. Start planning your trip, load up the RV and head to the Branson KOA for some great camping and attractions in 2012.
Question: At what mileage or time interval should a travel trailer or 5th wheel have the wheel bearings greased?
Mark's Answer: That’s a good question. Dexter axle recommends that along with bearing adjustment the wheel bearings should be inspected and lubricated every 12 months or 12,000 miles whichever comes first. Be sure and check your RV owner’s manual because I have seen intervals of 12 months or 5,000 miles as well.
Watch the below episode of Mark’s RV Garage, as I inspect and repack the bearings on our project trailer:
What do I consider to be a vintage trailer? Well, when you talk about vintage trailers lots of folks think about trailers that were built in the 30s, 40s or 50s, or they think about a particular brand name like airstream, Spartan or Prairie Schooner. I think any trailer you find today from the 30s through the 60s are classic vintage trailers. When I started to consider a vintage trailer restoration project I wasn’t as concerned about a name or era of time as I was about a finding a trailer with a good foundation at the right price.
I think there are lots of these old vintage trailers sitting around out there that can be found and restored back to a useable condition at a fairly reasonable cost. Find an old trailer that you like the looks of, or one that has some character. If you can find an old trailer with a semi solid structure at the right price and you like the way it looks it can make a fun vintage trailer restoration project. I say go for it, you only go around once, have some fun!
I am the founder of a company called RV Education 101. We produce videos on how to use and maintain Recreation Vehicles, and I am the author of a book titled “The RV Book”. I started the company because I was concerned about the lack of education and safety awareness for the RV consumer. To view our complete line of products please visit our website at www.rveducation101.com/
Mark Polk is a retired Army Chief Warrant Officer Three, specializing in wheeled and track vehicle fleet maintenance operations. In addition to owning and operating RV Education 101 since 1999, Mark also has a very extensive RV background working in RV sales, service and management.
Dawn Polk is Mark’s wife and is RV Education 101’s Sales and Marketing director. After 3 years in RV sales, she left her position to help start RV Education 101.
http://www.rveducation101.com
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