Wheel Life: Videos show you the way to RVing
‘Things have been crazy since we got the Wal-Mart account a couple of months ago,” says Mark Polk over his cell phone, somewhere along “an old country road in North Carolina.”
Polk and his wife, Dawn, are owners of RV Education 101, a company that produces videos, DVDs and E-books on how to use various types of recreational vehicles.
“We are a very small company, well, basically it’s just Dawn and I,” says Polk, “and it’s almost been overwhelming with the initial launch. But things are starting to calm down and our feet are back on the ground.”
A little more than seven years ago, Polk, then a sales manager at a Fayetteville, N.C., RV dealership, saw a real need for the some kind of follow-up educational videos for new RVers.
“We would sell people an RV and give them an orientation on how everything worked. They would take it home and I would always get phone calls with questions on one thing or another,” he says. “They just couldn’t remember everything they were taught during the walk-through.”
Polk researched everywhere for simple, clear how-to videos. When he could not find any, he thought it might be a good idea to produce some.
“We went out and did the first one on a shoestring,” he recalls. “It went over really, really well, so we made a second one. Soon the sales were strong enough that I could leave my job and do it full time.”
Dawn Polk, a former RV salesperson, joined her husband in the business as the sales and marketing director.
“It’s the best of all worlds,” says Dawn Polk, “we operate our business out of our home, so we are there for our kids.”
The family includes Tyler, 8, and Josh, 14 – both avid RVers – and terriers Gracie and Buck.
They put about 12,000 miles a year on their 2006 35-foot Bounder class A motor home manufactured by Fleetwood. They tow a 1980 Jeep. Prior to the class A, they owned a 28-foot class C and a tent pop-up trailer.
During RVing season the Polks can take their business on the road.
“All we need is an Internet connection and a laptop computer,” says Mark Polk, “and we can run our business from anywhere.”
RV Education 101 DVDs
Buying an RV is a major investment and a new RVer can be intimidated when just starting out, especially if buying a used vehicle with no owner’s manual.
Here are five of the Polks’ most popular DVDs; prices range between $19.95 and $26. There are also “box sets” that include up to five titles; prices range between $70 and $86. The company also offers instant download e-books.
“”Class A Motor Home 101”: Polk leads the RVer through basic how-tos, including complete set-up procedures.
“”Travel Trailer/5th Wheel”: Topics covered in this DVD include such vital subjects as hitch work and leveling.
“”Class C Rental /Owner”: Viewers are able to see how to do a quick maintenance check, along with driving tips.
“”Towing Behind Your Motorhome”: Two of the most critical segments in this DVD focus on information about selecting the correct type of hitch and the importance of knowing the combine weights of tow vehicle, hitch and dingy.
“”Trailer Towing, Weights, Hitch Work & Backing”: The DVD goes into the critical need of matching a tow vehicle to a specific trailer.
Ry Rasmussen, cashier in the Spokane Valley Wal-Mart automotive department, reports that they have three titles in stock. Each sells for $19.96.
Information
“ The Polks can be reached through their Web site, www.rveducation101.com; or by writing to RV Education 101, 3969 Stedman-Cedar Creek Road, Fayetteville, NC 28312; or by calling (910) 484-7615.