Summer is fast approaching and for RVers that not only means prime travel season is upon us, but so is the heat. If you ever walked inside an RV sitting in the direct sunlight, on a hot summer day, you know what I mean. Fortunately there are some simple things we can do to make our summer RV camping trips more pleasurable.
• Strategically parking your RV to take advantage of any shade that is available, especially on the side where the refrigerator vent is located. Don’t be afraid to ask for a shady site when you check in at the campground. This will not only help cool the RV down, but your refrigerator and roof A/C will work much more efficiently.
• You can improve your air conditioners efficiency by keeping the A/C filters clean. In most cases you can wash the filters in warm soapy water, rinse thoroughly and allow them to dry before reinstalling. Another option is to clean the filters with a small hand held vacuum cleaner. I recommend you keep a new set of filters on hand in the event the old filters have seen better days.
• Use your patio awning and any window awnings to assist in cooling the RV down. In addition to the awnings use your window blinds or drapes to help keep the sun out and the cooler air in.
• Campground voltage can fluctuate, especially during the summer months when campers are placing a higher demand on campground electricity. You should monitor the voltage coming in to your RV with a digital voltmeter. If voltage drops below 105-volts or goes above 130-volts turn your appliances and electronic equipment off until proper voltage is restored.
Happy Camping,
Mark J. Polk
RV Education 101
RV University.com
Copyright 2008 by Mark J. Polk, owner of RV Education 101
RV Expert Mark Polk, seen on TV, is the producer & host of America's most highly regarded series of DVD's, videos, books, and e-books.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
RV Heating Quick Tip
To assist you with heating your RV during cold weather camping, and to save a significant amount of LP gas that your RV furnace uses, purchase a portable electric ceramic heater. They work extremely well and many models available on the market come equipped with thermostats.
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Copyright 2008 by Mark J. Polk, owner of RV Education 101
RV Expert Mark Polk, seen on TV, is the producer & host of America's most highly regarded series of DVD's, videos, books, and e-books. http://www.rveducation101.com/
Sign up for your free "RV Education 101" Newsletter http://rveducation101.com/email/
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Copyright 2008 by Mark J. Polk, owner of RV Education 101
RV Expert Mark Polk, seen on TV, is the producer & host of America's most highly regarded series of DVD's, videos, books, and e-books. http://www.rveducation101.com/
Sign up for your free "RV Education 101" Newsletter http://rveducation101.com/email/
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Mark's RV Tire Tip
Have you ever owned a vehicle and neglected to have the tires rotated and one day you suddenly notice that the front tires are wore out but the rear tires look fine? I'm sure that this has happened to most of us until we learned the valuable and expensive lesson of not rotating our tires. If one tire shows signs of wear faster than another tire it may be a signal that something other than normal tire wear is happening and you should have it checked. But if it's just normal tire wear you can even out the wear and extend the life of your tires by having the tires rotated on a regular basis. Talk to your tire dealer about proper tire rotation intervals.
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Copyright 2008 by Mark J. Polk, owner of RV Education 101
RV Expert Mark Polk, seen on TV, is the producer & host of America's most highly regarded series of DVD's, videos, books, and e-books. http://www.rveducation101.com/
Sign up for your free "RV Education 101" Newsletter http://rveducation101.com/email/
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Copyright 2008 by Mark J. Polk, owner of RV Education 101
RV Expert Mark Polk, seen on TV, is the producer & host of America's most highly regarded series of DVD's, videos, books, and e-books. http://www.rveducation101.com/
Sign up for your free "RV Education 101" Newsletter http://rveducation101.com/email/
Thursday, February 14, 2008
RV Air Conditioner Question
Q. Mark, We are looking at the Winnebago Sightseer 35J. The model we are looking at has two roof air conditioners, but only has 30 amp service with an Onan 5.5 KW generator. Will these two air conditioners be able to run at the same time with only 30 amps? Thanks!
Mark Says: Most RV manufacturers use some type of energy management system so both roof A/C's can operate at the same time on a 30 amp system. Our 2006 Bounder 35E is a good example. It will power up one A/C and then the other. Once they are both running it can sense if there is a requirement for more power placed on the system, like somebody making a pot of coffee, and it will shut one A/C down or both depending on the power requirement. When there is no longer a requirement the A/C units automatically start back up.
Something else many manufacturers are doing is to use smaller BTU air conditioners. It was no good to have two 15,000 BTU units if you can only run one, so now they might use a 13,500 and an 11,000 BTU unit which a 30 amp system can run at the same time.
Basically what I am saying is most of today's manufacturers offer some type of power management system to operate both A/C units with a 30 amp system. On the other hand most manufacturers have a built in system to prevent you from using both A/C units and attempt to use the microwave or other power consuming appliance. It is a combination of modern technology and learning to live with 30 amps.
I recommend calling a Winnebago dealer and ask them how Winnebago deals with this issue and to send you some literature on the topic.
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Copyright 2008 by Mark J. Polk, owner of RV Education 101
RV Expert Mark Polk, seen on TV, is the producer & host of America's most highly regarded series of DVD's, videos, books, and e-books. http://www.rveducation101.com/
Sign up for your free "RV Education 101" Newsletter http://rveducation101.com/email/
Mark Says: Most RV manufacturers use some type of energy management system so both roof A/C's can operate at the same time on a 30 amp system. Our 2006 Bounder 35E is a good example. It will power up one A/C and then the other. Once they are both running it can sense if there is a requirement for more power placed on the system, like somebody making a pot of coffee, and it will shut one A/C down or both depending on the power requirement. When there is no longer a requirement the A/C units automatically start back up.
Something else many manufacturers are doing is to use smaller BTU air conditioners. It was no good to have two 15,000 BTU units if you can only run one, so now they might use a 13,500 and an 11,000 BTU unit which a 30 amp system can run at the same time.
Basically what I am saying is most of today's manufacturers offer some type of power management system to operate both A/C units with a 30 amp system. On the other hand most manufacturers have a built in system to prevent you from using both A/C units and attempt to use the microwave or other power consuming appliance. It is a combination of modern technology and learning to live with 30 amps.
I recommend calling a Winnebago dealer and ask them how Winnebago deals with this issue and to send you some literature on the topic.
********
Copyright 2008 by Mark J. Polk, owner of RV Education 101
RV Expert Mark Polk, seen on TV, is the producer & host of America's most highly regarded series of DVD's, videos, books, and e-books. http://www.rveducation101.com/
Sign up for your free "RV Education 101" Newsletter http://rveducation101.com/email/
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Tyler's RV Tips
Tyler Polk age 6 Josh Polk age 12
When I first wrote the E-book titled “A Collection of RV Tips” my youngest son, Tyler, was six years old. He has been RVing since he was a baby. He came in the office asking what I was doing at the time. When I explained I was writing some tips for RVers he got very excited and pointed out that he had a bunch of tips for RVers too. He started scribbling some down on paper, and I included them in the original E-book. When he finally finished I was quite amazed at how many tips he had to offer.
Recently as I was updating the book I ran across them again and thought you might enjoy reading some of Tyler's RV Tips. Remember he was only six at the time.
1) Don't tuch any butuns unless mom or dad saz it's ok.
2) Nevr strt the jenerator when the moterhome is plugd in to electrisiti.
3) Nevr git kot goin up the laddr on to the RV roof. Yur dady will git mad.
4) Be kareful in a slippri sleping bag. Yu can fall frm the top bed in the midle of the nite.
5) Nevr tern the watr pomp on wen the watr tank is emti.
6) Bee carful using the baathrum wen the RV is mooving.
7) Kep the scren door klosed when ther are lots of moscitos out.
8) Bee shur the refrjirater dor is klosed all the way.
9) All ways ware flipflops in the bath hause.
10) Git yur own bath hause kit so you don't haf to shar with yur bruther.
11) Nevr fil yur cup to the top wen travling. Dady hits bomps and yur drink flis out.
12) Don't forgit yur flashlite. It gits very darc out at nite.
13) Don't ty yur dog beehind yur bike and ride arond the kampgrnd.
14) Kampgrnd playgrnds are fun but nevr go to one by yurself.
15) Don't run out the dor unles yur shur the step is out.
16) Don't play arond the barbi q gril or kamp fire. They git reely hot and dady gits mad.
17) Don't forgit yur bathing sute. Most kampgrnds hav swimmin pols.
18) Always put the leesh on Buck and Gracie (r dogs) befor you open the dor.
19) Always tak some alowence moni with you. Ther is a lot of neet things to by.
20) Sav somthing frum evrywar you go to put in yur scrpbook
21) Don't forgit the movees, bord games, pokemon cards, legos, gogils, fins, yu-gi-oh cards and colorin books.
Tyler said to tell everyone, “Pak up, bukle up and lets go campin.”
Recently as I was updating the book I ran across them again and thought you might enjoy reading some of Tyler's RV Tips. Remember he was only six at the time.
1) Don't tuch any butuns unless mom or dad saz it's ok.
2) Nevr strt the jenerator when the moterhome is plugd in to electrisiti.
3) Nevr git kot goin up the laddr on to the RV roof. Yur dady will git mad.
4) Be kareful in a slippri sleping bag. Yu can fall frm the top bed in the midle of the nite.
5) Nevr tern the watr pomp on wen the watr tank is emti.
6) Bee carful using the baathrum wen the RV is mooving.
7) Kep the scren door klosed when ther are lots of moscitos out.
8) Bee shur the refrjirater dor is klosed all the way.
9) All ways ware flipflops in the bath hause.
10) Git yur own bath hause kit so you don't haf to shar with yur bruther.
11) Nevr fil yur cup to the top wen travling. Dady hits bomps and yur drink flis out.
12) Don't forgit yur flashlite. It gits very darc out at nite.
13) Don't ty yur dog beehind yur bike and ride arond the kampgrnd.
14) Kampgrnd playgrnds are fun but nevr go to one by yurself.
15) Don't run out the dor unles yur shur the step is out.
16) Don't play arond the barbi q gril or kamp fire. They git reely hot and dady gits mad.
17) Don't forgit yur bathing sute. Most kampgrnds hav swimmin pols.
18) Always put the leesh on Buck and Gracie (r dogs) befor you open the dor.
19) Always tak some alowence moni with you. Ther is a lot of neet things to by.
20) Sav somthing frum evrywar you go to put in yur scrpbook
21) Don't forgit the movees, bord games, pokemon cards, legos, gogils, fins, yu-gi-oh cards and colorin books.
Tyler said to tell everyone, “Pak up, bukle up and lets go campin.”
********
Copyright 2008 by Mark J. Polk, owner of RV Education 101
RV Expert Mark Polk, seen on TV, is the producer & host of America's most highly regarded series of DVD's, videos, books, and e-books. http://www.rveducation101.com/
Sign up for your free "RV Education 101" Newsletter http://rveducation101.com/email/
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
RV Converter Question
Q. I live in a large 5th wheel full time and I am plugged in at all times. I heard the battery charger kicking in from time to time and the humming of the converter. Do I have to have the converter on all the time? Is it on only to charge the batteries? The manuals are the pits and I am really trying to know all about converters. The more questions I ask from different sources the more answers I get. I read your web site you do explain well. Thank you.
Mark Says: The converter in your RV basically does two jobs.
1) When you are plugged into electricity it converts a portion of the 120 volts coming into the RV down to 12 volts so all of the 12 volt devices like overhead lights and fan motors will operate without draining the RV battery.
2) It has a battery charger built in the converter to keep the RV battery charged (topped off).
The noise you are hearing is most likely the fan on the converter. The converter gets warm when it is on so the manufacturer adds a fan to help keep it cool. Some are very noisy.
You do need the converter on when you are plugged in. If the converter wasn't on, or wasn't operating properly you would run the RV battery down because you are using the 12 volt appliances and devices.
Some older RV converters charge the batteries at a constant rate and will continue to charge the batteries when they are fully charged. This can result in the battery or batteries losing water, so battery maintenance and inspections are important when you have the RV plugged in for long periods of time. Newer converters have 3 stage chargers that know when the battery is fully charged and at that point in time only provide a float charge (less charge) to prevent overcharging conditions.
Read this article I wrote on converters that might help explain it in more detail. http://www.rvuniversity.com/article.php/20080107175732307
Mark Says: The converter in your RV basically does two jobs.
1) When you are plugged into electricity it converts a portion of the 120 volts coming into the RV down to 12 volts so all of the 12 volt devices like overhead lights and fan motors will operate without draining the RV battery.
2) It has a battery charger built in the converter to keep the RV battery charged (topped off).
The noise you are hearing is most likely the fan on the converter. The converter gets warm when it is on so the manufacturer adds a fan to help keep it cool. Some are very noisy.
You do need the converter on when you are plugged in. If the converter wasn't on, or wasn't operating properly you would run the RV battery down because you are using the 12 volt appliances and devices.
Some older RV converters charge the batteries at a constant rate and will continue to charge the batteries when they are fully charged. This can result in the battery or batteries losing water, so battery maintenance and inspections are important when you have the RV plugged in for long periods of time. Newer converters have 3 stage chargers that know when the battery is fully charged and at that point in time only provide a float charge (less charge) to prevent overcharging conditions.
Read this article I wrote on converters that might help explain it in more detail. http://www.rvuniversity.com/article.php/20080107175732307
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Towing Question
Q. Thank you for trying to help with my towing question. For over 6 months I have been trying to get a correct answer to this question, and maybe there is not a correct answer. I have two cars, a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan front wheel drive, auto transmission, and a 1998 Pontiac Grand Am (It can be towed 4-wheels down) . I bought a tow dolly so I can tow either the car or Van. Dodge says not to tow the van on a tow dolly. I called the factory, and their reasoning is because it is so high that the dolly makes the center of gravity higher, not a mechanical problem. The Pontiac is also a auto transmission, front wheel drive car. The steering wheel doesn't lock on either of these car when the key is removed or in place. U-haul in their flyer says the steering wheel must be tied off. Other RVers have said the same for both of these cars. Others say no, you do not have to tie off the steering wheel. Master tow (tow dolly manufacturer) says yes, you do have to tie the wheel off if the steering wheel does NOT lock. Have you any input on this subject.
Mark Says: I have experience with Roadmaster and Master Tow tow dollies . Master Tow is only about 20 miles from where we live and we have actually done some filming at their plant for the RVTV show.
Both of these manufacturers say the steering wheel must be locked or secured and this is why.
This is an excerpt from the Roadmaster Inc. owners manual:
The towed cars steering wheel must be locked when towing. Failure to lock the steering will allow the towed car to pivot on the bed causing it to hit the fender and wheel assembly of the dolly. Severe damage will result to both vehicles.
I would follow the guidance you received from Master Tow on using a ratchet strap to secure the front wheels in a straight forward position.
I hope this answers your question. I'm not sure about Dodge's reason for not towing the van on a tow dolly.
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Copyright 2008 by Mark J. Polk owner of RV Education 101
RV Expert Mark Polk, seen on TV, is the producer & host of America's most highly regarded series of DVD's, videos, books, and e-books. http://www.rveducation101.com/
Mark Says: I have experience with Roadmaster and Master Tow tow dollies . Master Tow is only about 20 miles from where we live and we have actually done some filming at their plant for the RVTV show.
Both of these manufacturers say the steering wheel must be locked or secured and this is why.
This is an excerpt from the Roadmaster Inc. owners manual:
The towed cars steering wheel must be locked when towing. Failure to lock the steering will allow the towed car to pivot on the bed causing it to hit the fender and wheel assembly of the dolly. Severe damage will result to both vehicles.
I would follow the guidance you received from Master Tow on using a ratchet strap to secure the front wheels in a straight forward position.
I hope this answers your question. I'm not sure about Dodge's reason for not towing the van on a tow dolly.
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Copyright 2008 by Mark J. Polk owner of RV Education 101
RV Expert Mark Polk, seen on TV, is the producer & host of America's most highly regarded series of DVD's, videos, books, and e-books. http://www.rveducation101.com/
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