RV Products: March 2003

Weather Shelters

The Coleman Shade Lodge can provide a shady retreat for any outdoor activity. Measuring 12 feet by 14 feet when set up, the hexagon-shaped Shade Lodge offers 6 feet of headroom around the perimeter and 7-1/2 feet at the center. The top of the shelter is vented to allow heat to escape while keeping out the sun and rain. The shelter should be placed on grass or ground where it can be staked down. Guylines are provided and should be used for additional stability in the wind. The frame features six powder-coated, shock-corded steel poles that lock into a center hub. The canopy is made of 150-denier polyester fabric that is coated to provide resistance to sunlight and water. The Coleman Shade Lodge has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $100.

Coleman also offers the Screen Lodge, which is similar in dimensions and features to the Shade Lodge but includes mesh screens and two zippered doors. The Screen Lodge has a suggested retail price of $130.

For more information, contact:
The Coleman Company Inc.
P.O. Box 2931
Wichita, KS 67201
(800) 835-3278
www.coleman.com

A new air conditioner monitoring and protection system from Index Sensors & Controls promises to reduce air-conditioning system repairs in RVs. The ACX-10 Air Conditioning Life Extender mounts in the engine compartment and monitors refrigerant pressure and voltage.

Both high and low refrigerant pressure can cause rapid cycling of the system and excessive wear on the compressor, clutch, and hoses. The ACX-10 slows the cycle frequency by as much as 80 percent, and warns the owner to address the problem before the compressor fails. According to company literature, the ACX-10 also can detect large changes in voltage and temporarily disengages the clutch until the voltage returns to normal. In addition, the unit delays the system’s clutch engagement for 15 seconds when the vehicle’s engine is started, extending the life of the starter and battery.

The ACX-10 has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $99.95 and, according to product literature, can be installed in most vehicles in less than 30 minutes.

For more information, contact:
Index Sensors & Controls
7112 265th St. N.W.
Stanwood, WA 98292
(800) 726-1737
(360) 629-5200
Fax: (360) 629-8038
www.indexsensors.com

Flojet offers the Engine Oil Change System to assist those who wish to change their own engine oil. Described as “a neat and clean way to quickly evacuate engine oil and even remove hot oil without the danger of burns or spills,” the system will extract up to 50-weight oil through the engine’s dipstick tube.

According to product literature, the entire oil removal process using the system typically takes less than five minutes. The system does not need priming, and the 12-volt diaphragm pump will run dry without damage to the unit to suck up the last drops of oil. Other features include an integral on-off switch; a 14-quart bucket oil-receiver with a retractable pouring spout; a 6-foot power cord with color-coded alligator clips; and an 8-foot Teflon dipstick probe.

For more information, contact:
Flojet
20 Icon
Foothill Ranch, CA 92610-3000
(800) 235-6538
(949) 859-4945
Fax: (949) 859-1153
www.flojet.com

Drop receivers reduce the difference in hitching heights between a motorhome and a towed vehicle to keep the towing system as level as possible. This increases safety and simplifies hitching and unhitching. Blue Ox has announced that all of its drop receivers have been upgraded to a 10,000-pound towing capacity. This capacity matches that of the company’s Aventa II tow bar, and is touted as the heaviest capacity available in the industry today.

For more information, contact:
Blue Ox Towing Division
Automatic Equipment Mfg. Co.
P.O. Box P
Pender, NE 68047
(402) 385-3051
Fax: (402) 385-3360
www.aemfg.com

Watts Pure Water offers the UV-3 Filtration System, which combines ultraviolet light with two types of filters to provide quality drinking water. The UV-3 first utilizes a 5-micron sediment filter to reduce dirt, sand, and rust. Next, an ultraviolet light is used to kill bacteria and other organisms. Finally, a 1-micron carbon filter reduces lead and cysts, including cryptosporidium, toxoplasma, and entamoeba. The UV-3 reportedly also removes chlorine, bad tastes, and odors.

The entire system is compact enough to fit under most motorhome sinks and produces fresh water on demand through a dedicated faucet or by connecting directly to the sink’s cold water line.

The manufacturer’s suggested retail price of the UV-3 is $299. Watts Pure Water literature suggests that both filters be replaced after every 1,350 gallons or six months of use, and the ultraviolet light should be replaced once a year.

For more information, contact:
Watts Pure Water
815 Chestnut St.
North Andover, MA 01845-6098
(888) 774-7405
Fax: (602) 588-0356

Chilton Products, a division of Western Industries Inc., has introduced a new line of consumer fuel containers that feature child-resistant closures. These closures are available on gasoline containers that have 1-gallon, 2-gallon, 5-gallon, and 6-gallon capacities. Diesel and kerosene containers with the special closures also are available. In addition, Chilton makes self-closing, spill-resistant gasoline containers with the child-resistant closure that meet mandatory regulations for gas cans in California.

Chilton’s new child-resistant closure design passed the Child Resistant Closure testing protocol established by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The tests demonstrated that the closure is difficult for children under the age of 5 to open (no more than 10 percent success), yet is easy enough for most seniors to open (90 percent or higher success).

For more information, contact:
Chilton Products
300 Breed St.
Chilton, WI 53014
(920) 849-2381
www.westernind.com

According to product literature, the Forever Flashlight doesn’t use batteries or bulbs and may be the last flashlight you will ever have to purchase. The flashlight operates on the Faraday principle of electromagnetic energy; a 15- to 30-second shake will provide up to five minutes of continuous illumination via a super-bright LED, which is said to be visible for up to a mile. Thus, the flashlight is said to be perfect for emergency use.

The Forever Flashlight comes in two sizes: an ultra-portable micro version for glove compartments, briefcases, purses, and similar small places ($29.99), and the standard-sized unit for RVs, car trunks, boats, and homes ($39.99).

For more information, contact:
California Car Cover Company
9525 De Soto Ave.
Chatsworth, CA 91311
(800) 423-5525
www.calcarcover.com

The Dip and Go, a nonabrasive scrubbing pad from Shurhold Industries, facilitates cleaning the sides and roof of an RV. The Dip and Go pad  attaches to any Shurhold telescoping or fixed-length handle, or to any broom handle or pole with standard threads. Then, instead of searching for a cleaning solution and a mop, all that is needed is a bucket of water; non-toxic, biodegradable Simple Green degreaser-cleaner is encapsulated in the pad.

The Dip and Go pad is said to be great for removing exhaust grime, black streaks, and bugs, and also can clean hard-to-reach places, such as under roof-mounted air-conditioning units and around bumpers, thanks to a universal swivel joint. The Dip and Go carries a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $19.95. Two-pad refill packs are available for $9.95.

For more information, contact:
Shurhold Industries
3119 S.W. 42nd Ave.
Palm City, FL 34990-5558
(800) 962-6241
Fax: (772) 286-9620
www.shurhold.com

Hughes Autoformers are designed to increase voltage to your RV and help eliminate the expense and frustration associated with appliance damage. Models RV2130 and RV220-50 feature fully automatic voltage correction to supply the proper input voltage even when campground or input voltage is dangerously low. These products also suppress spikes and surges to help prevent damage to the motorhome’s electrical system.

According to company literature, when the power input is normal — above 118 volts — the unit’s internal transformer provides just a 2 percent boost. When the power input is low — below 116 volts — power is boosted 10 percent. Indicator lights show whether the wiring is correct, whether the power is on, and whether the Autoformer is in the boost mode.

Model RV2130 has a 30-amp, 3,600-watt capacity and carries a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $399. The RV220-50 has a 50-amp, 12,000-watt capacity and an MSRP of $599. Available installation kits for each model allow them to be securely stored in a ventilated compartment yet easily removed for use with another motorhome or as a portable unit.

For more information, contact:
Hughes Autoformers
1189 N. Tustin Ave.
Anaheim, CA 92807
(888) 540-1504
Fax: (714) 630-7609
www.autoformers.com

The Ultimate Golf Bag Cover is useful as both a dust cover and a rain cover. The lightweight cover is made of black ripstop nylon and fits almost any size golf bag. The cover attaches to the bag with one hook-and-loop strap. A hook-and-loop latch on the top opens to expose one or all of the clubs without dumping water onto them. A foldable metal frame keeps the cover taut and assures good visibility of the clubs.

When not in use, the 18-inch-by-12-inch cover folds to approximately 6-1/2 inches by 2 inches and is small enough to be stored in a golf bag pocket for emergency use in the event of rain. It also can be used as a dust cover, which is an especially handy feature when clubs are kept in a motorhome’s storage bay. The Ultimate Golf Bag Cover is available for $19.95 plus $5.95 shipping and handling.

For more information, contact:
UGBC Company
18161 Daves Ave.
Monte Sereno, CA 95030
(877) 442-2004