Mechanic’s Creeper
Described as the younger brother of the Bone auto creeper, the new Bone-ster is designed to be durable, comfortable, and unlikely to tip while in use.
The one-piece molded body is made of engineering-grade copolymer and is said to be easy to clean and resistant to gasoline, oil, and almost all common solvents. The deep, smoothly molded structural ribs of the Bone-ster add strength and durability without adding weight. In addition, they provide ventilation, an appreciated feature on hot, muggy days. The 3-inch-diameter mag-style wheels are said to be soft enough to roll without skidding.
The Bone-ster measures 43 inches long by 23-3/8 inches wide, weighs 16 pounds, and has a ground clearance of approximately 1 inch. Two molded-in handles make the creeper easy to carry and secure. The body of the Bone-ster is covered by a limited one-year warranty, but the wheels are guaranteed for the life of the creeper. The Bone-ster has a suggested retail price of $89.95.
For more information, contact:
Pegasus Products Company
315 Gougler Ave.
Kent, OH 44240
(800) 266-3321
(330) 677-1123
www.bonecreeper.com
Portable Gas Grill
The new Weber Q grill is said to be portable and compact enough to take just about anywhere, yet sturdy, large, and durable enough to be an everyday, stationary backyard grill.
The Weber Q is equipped with a P-shaped burner that emits open flames under its porcelain-enameled, cast-iron cooking grate. This results in food that is both seared and smoked. Additional features of this 41-pound grill include a 280-square-inch cooking grate, which is large enough to cook up to 14 burgers at once, and a 7-inch, high-capacity lid that can cover a whole chicken. Push-button ignition makes for easy lighting of the 12,000-Btu-per-hour adjustable burner. Attached work tables with built-in tool holders fold and store inside the grill.
The Weber Q has a suggested retail price of $199. Available accessories include a foldable rolling cart, a rolling duffel bag, a vinyl cover, stainless-steel tools, and a 20-pound tank adapter hose.
For more information, contact:
Weber-Stephen Products Co.
200 E. Daniels Road
Palatine, IL 60067
www.weber.com
Spark Plug Boot Protector
P.A. Grinnell now offers a larger Koolsox heat protection device to insulate the spark plug boots on motorhome engines. Identified as part number 07519, this tubular boot protector measures 1-1/2 inches by 7 inches and looks like a sock.
According to product literature, reduced airflow in the rear of an engine can cause silicone spark plug boots to melt. This protector, made of braided e-glass fiberglass that is said to tolerate temperatures up to 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, fits over the spark plug boot. A ring inside this larger Koolsox for RVs is tapered to give a better fit.
A two-pack is available for less than $20, but a single Koolsox protector also can be ordered. For motorhomes with a factory heat shield, a larger, open-ended Koolsox that fits around the shield is available. P.A. Grinnell also offers other heat-shielding products, including starter covers.
For more information, contact:
P.A. Grinnell Co./Koolmat
P.O. Box 985
Mooresville, NC 28115
(704) 662-9099
Fax: (704) 662-9109
www.koolmat.com
RV Jack Pads
Outdoors For Life RV Jack Pads are designed to contour to uneven ground without breaking and are said to be impervious to oil, water, salt, ice, and mud.
Each jack pad includes a built-in wire-loop handle that comes from the side of the pad so that it is not pinched or rubbed by the jack foot. This handle not only makes removal easier but also simplifies carrying the pad. The pads can be cleaned after use by wiping with a dry towel.
The 1-inch-thick pads come in sets of three or four in three standard sizes: 12-inch-square, 14-inch-square, and 16-inch-square. Custom-made sizes and shapes also are available. All sets come with a large storage bag.
Prices start at $72 for a set of three 12-inch-square pads and $95 for a set of four. Outdoors For Life RV Jack Pads come with a five-year, unconditional warranty for the original owner; if a pad ever breaks during this period, simply return it and it will be replaced.
For more information, contact:
Outdoors For Life LLC
1355 Waldo Road
Williamston, MI 48895
(517) 655-8482
www.outdoors4life.com
Navigation Software
DeLorme has introduced the Street Atlas USA 2004 suite of navigation software. Of particular interest to motorhome owners are the Street Atlas USA 2004 and the Street Atlas USA 2004 Handheld titles. Both contain the latest DeLorme mapping database and now also feature Canadian primary and secondary roads and routing.
The Street Atlas USA 2004 is designed for use on laptop and desktop computers and has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $49.95. This program features a forward-only-looking GPS radar search for finding nearby restaurants, gas stations, hospitals, banks, and other places of interest. It also gives users the ability to create JPEG map files that can be e-mailed to friends or family.
The Street Atlas USA 2004 Handheld software, with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $39.95, features high-definition screen support for Palm OS 5.0 and later devices, with map magnification controls. Large, easy-to-read GPS turn-tracking arrows add to its usefulness.
For more information, contact:
DeLorme
2 DeLorme Drive
P.O. Box 298
Yarmouth, ME 04096
(800) 561-5105
www.delorme.com
Hose Protector
Clean Seal Inc. offers EPHA protective wear shields to safeguard hydraulic hoses, water lines, and electrical harnesses from damaging abrasion. Product literature describes these shields as being constructed of a highly abrasion-resistant material designed to withstand temperatures from minus 40 to 420 degrees Fahrenheit. The shields can be attached with cable ties to almost any size or type of hose or wire, eliminating the need to remove and reinstall the lines. The protective wear shields are available in 2-inch increments from 4 to 12 inches.
Clean Seal also offers various EPHA looms and spacers to manage and protect multiple hose, conduit, PVC, and cable assemblies. Minimum order restrictions apply.
For more information, contact:
Clean Seal Inc.
P.O. Box 2919
South Bend, IN 46680-2919
(800) 366-3682
Fax: (574) 299-8044
www.cleanseal.com
Increased-Capacity Refrigerator
The new Norcold N1095 refrigerator provides 9.5 cubic feet of storage space. Thanks to a special super-insulating cabinet, this new model offers almost 27 percent more interior storage space as compared to the previous 7.5-cubic-foot model without increasing the recess and cutout dimensions.
Besides providing additional room, the new N1095 features an eye-level LED control panel with built-in diagnostics for simplified service. An adjustable thermostat allows the interior temperature to be set as desired. The N1095 is available with black, white, or stainless-steel doors, or with doors that have removable panels for customization. The N1095 refrigerator is covered by a three-year warranty.
For more information, contact:
Thetford/Norcold
P.O. Box 1285
Ann Arbor, MI 48106
(800) 521-3032
(734) 769-6000
www.norcold.com
Built-In Vacuum
The Beam On-Board Model 145 Vacuum System promises to eliminate dust, dirt, beach sand, and allergens from a motorhome using a centralized power unit that can be installed out of the way under a seat or in a storage compartment.
The power unit cylinder, which includes a 2.3-gallon collection receptacle, measures 11 inches in diameter by 10 inches tall. Included in the system is an 8-foot hose that can expand to 32 feet to provide cleaning of the entire coach. Also included is a complete set of cleaning tools “” a 9-inch floor brush, a carpet tool, an upholstery nozzle, a round dusting brush, and a crevice tool.
According to product literature, the system can be retrofitted easily into any motorhome. The Beam On-Board Model 145 Vacuum System with installation supplies can be purchased for $309.95.
For more information, contact:
Beam Industries
P.O. Box 788
Webster City, IA 50595
(800) 369-2326
(515) 832-4620
www.beamvac.com
Liquid-Level Monitoring Panel
Material Sciences Corporation has introduced the SensaTank liquid-level sensing system. This system, which can be fitted onto existing coaches, does not have any moving parts to jam, internal probes to corrode, or seals to leak.
The company’s patented Mirus detector cells are placed on the outside of three non-metallic tanks “” usually fresh water, gray water, and black water holding tanks “” with what is described as an “aggressive LSE adhesive.” These cells use small micro-electric fields to detect tank level changes without coming into physical contact with the liquid. The system also includes an LP-gas circuit that uses the LP-gas tank’s existing float mechanism.
The SensaTank reads only on demand and draws less than .001-amp electricity when no keys are pressed. An alarm flashes when the fluid levels reach a critical level (low for water, high for holding tanks). According to product literature, “The SensaTank is essentially ‘plug and play,’ which makes wiring and installation extremely simple.”
For more information, contact:
MSC Electronic Materials and Devices Group
2200 E. Pratt Blvd.
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007-5995
(847) 718-8159
www.matsci.com
Hand-Crank Cord Reels
TDI Products, which manufactures the Shoreline Reels Series of power cord and hose reels, has introduced two less expensive, hand-crank power cord reels to its lineup. These reels are UL-listed and are backed by a three-year warranty. Available in 50-amp and 30-amp units, both systems include a 4-foot installation pigtail and 33 feet of flexible power cord.
The 50-amp reel is priced at $340, while the 30-amp unit is $227.
For more information, contact:
TDI Products Inc.
740 S. 10th St.
Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
(866) 713-1489
(904) 242-0742
www.tdiproducts.com