Review
When anticipating a trip in our RV, most of us are thinking about the fun times we’re going to have. Even full-timers and part-timers prefer to think about the fun and adventures along the way and at the end of the road. In other words, no one is planning an itinerary of inspections, repairs, breakdowns, or worse. I learned so much in the 78 minutes I spent watching RV Education 101’s video, Caring for and Maintaining your RV. I recommend this video for anyone before beginning an RV trip. The information Mark and Dawn Polk share could save hours, or even days waiting for a repair. More importantly, it could help avoid injuries from otherwise undetected dangers. That would ruin anyone’s vacation. Even if you find no problems, the thorough RV inspection they demonstrate will give you a checklist that will make your pre-trip inspections a breeze, and peace of mind knowing your systems are safe. Mark shows you the do’s and don’ts of cleaning RV surfaces–walls, floors, cabinets, countertops, and exterior shell, roof, wheels, accessories and undercarriage. Interior RV surfaces are made of lightweight materials that are more fragile than their site-home counterparts. Do you realize how many different fabrics are in your RV? Floor surfaces can be made of carpet, tile, linoleum or wood. Each should be cleaned with a solution that is designed for that surface. Some exterior parts can be damaged permanently by using common household cleaners. To extend the life of these surfaces and fabrics you need to choose cleaning and protective agents carefully. Mark shows you several categories of cleaners that cause permanent and progressive damage. • Do you know the different cleaning methods for each type interior and exterior surface, or for each different fabric? • Do you know the three common types of household cleaning agents that can damage RV surfaces?• Do you know how to prevent deterioration of these surfaces? • Do you know when it’s time to call a professional? Mark tells all in this video. The shower, toilet and sinks require cleaners that are compatible with the materials these are made from. You are carrying your sewage system with you. The last thing you want is to damage any part of it, but there’s one common household cleaner that will do irreversible damage. Appliances take special attention, which is different for each. Mark’s tips include how to reduce refrigerator cool-down time up to 50%, and what temperatures to maintain. Even a small leak can result in food spoilage. But, you will learn ways to make sure your food stays cold, and inexpensive ways to control refrigerator odors, and a simple way to check your refrigerator seals. Similarly he covers all of the appliances, how to inspect, use and maintain them. And, of course, you can expect little tips on making the job easier, and doing all of this in a systematic, orderly way. Mark walks you through the cleaning and lubrication steps for a number of other systems, pointing out the kinds of damage you can prevent, and reminding you of those that are easily overlooked. He covers slide outs, monitor panels, batteries, window weep slots, tracks, and seals, then moves on to cover the outside of your RV in equally precise detail. Among the many systems he covers are: • Keeping slide outs trouble-free, and in top condition• Hydraulic and manual leveling jacks• Battery switches• TV antenna • Exterior maintenance–what to inspect and how often• Washing your RV–what to use, what to avoid• Black streaks• How to extend the life of your RV’s exterior• Protecting your graphics• Preventing leaks from rain• Maintaining hinges, locks and latches• Cleaning and maintaining roof vents• How to get to roof fixtures when the roof won’t support your weight• Inspecting, securing and lubricating your awning and parts• Starting up LP or electric appliances safely• Troubleshooting and testing electrical and other systems• How to calculate which appliances you can run simultaneously• Flushing tanks and water heater, and cost-saving winterizing tips• Sanitizing and filtering the water system• Locating and preventing leaks in water and gas lines• Care, maintenance and operation of generators• General vehicle maintenance, changing fluids, wipers, etc.• Warranty obligations–how not to void your warranty Insects and mice are a serious problem, and are attracted to specific areas of an RV. Mark shows you where and why they are attracted and how to keep insects and rodents out of your RV. If that isn’t enough, Mark takes you through a series of in-depth safety checks of every appliance, LP gas and electrical system. You will learn a wealth of information about how appliances, batteries and every system works, when to repair yourself and when to have a professional inspect, repair or replace them. He covers each system, how to power it up, test it for proper operation, and how to trouble shoot problems. He even includes a careful walkthrough of attaching tow dinghies. And, who else would think to tell you how to adjust lug nut torque to manufacturers’ specifications? You would have to do many hours of research and reading to learn all of this information, and many more hours organizing it into a smooth-flowing RV inspection checklist to make sure you don’t miss a thing. Mark’s point is that if it’s part of your RV, it probably serves an essential purpose, and has the potential to cause injury or damage if not kept in a safe working order. Everything should be checked for proper function and kept clean, lubricated, repaired or replaced in a timely manner. Mark makes sure you know what each of those systems are, how to clean it and maintain it. For most systems, he even shows you how to repair or replace them. This video is well worth viewing, and at a price that’s hard to refuse. But it’s fast-paced, so, prepare to take notes. You can watch this video online, using your PC with Windows XP or Vista. Alternatively, you can purchase the DVD version to run on your Mac or DVD player. What you learn will save you many times the cost of this video.
