RV Products: April 2004

Water Tank Cleaning Port

The Aqua Saver from PJB Co. is a port that provides a 5.5-inch opening in an RV’s fresh-water tank, making it possible to reach the inside of the tank with a brush and to scrub it using a household bleach solution. Cleaning the inside of the tank by hand is said to loosen material that normally is not able to be flushed out. The tank can then be rinsed and vacuumed dry several times using a wet-dry vac.

The Aqua Saver promises to save time and water when cleaning out the fresh-water tank of a demand-type water system. Initial installation requires approximately one hour. After that, cleaning is said to take approximately 20 minutes and six gallons of water. For storage and winterization, the Aqua Saver opening is large enough to allow a wet-dry vac hose to be used to remove the water in the tank.

The PJB Co. states that it has been installing units for more than seven years with no leaks, cracking of the tank, or water damage to the coach. According to product literature, the device can be installed on the side or the end of the water tank if the top is not accessible. The Aqua Saver is made of FDA-approved material and is covered by a lifetime warranty. Special pricing is available to FMCA members.

For more information, contact:
PJB Co.
5773 Pleasant Valley Road
Cogan Station, PA 17728
(570) 435-5412
www.aquasaverbypjbcompany.com

Riding a personal watercraft can be fun, but seeing it nicked and scratched from road debris while towing it is certainly not enjoyable. Covercraft Industries offers the JetBra custom-fitted cover as a solution to this problem. These covers slide on and strap to the watercraft, requiring no tools for installation, and are designed to protect the front area “” both top and bottom “” of the hull. Access is provided to the gas filler and front storage area.

Made of heavy-duty vinyl with a protective backing, the JetBra is available with or without a shark teeth design. Cleaning is said to be as simple as hosing off the cover and allowing it to air dry. Custom-fitted covers are available for Honda, Kawasaki, Polaris, Sea-Doo, and Yamaha personal watercraft. Covercraft Industries also offers covers for motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles.

For more information, contact:
Covercraft Industries
100 Enterprise Blvd.
Pauls Valley, OK 73075
(800) 426-8377
(405) 238-9651
Fax: (405) 238-9601
www.pwr-sports.com

The Black & Decker DirtBuster Hand Vac with its 6.5-amp motor can clean carpets, draperies, upholstery, linoleum, and many more surfaces. Plus it can be used as a high-speed inflator for air mattresses and children’s pools, and as a blower to clear dirt and debris away from the motorhome’s entrance. The portable vacuum has 14 accessories, including a flexible hose, a crevice tool, a dusting brush, a floor nozzle, a diffuser, three extension wands, and three inflator nozzles, all of which fit into a convenient storage bag. These accessories, coupled with a 20-foot cord, mean that virtually anyplace can be cleaned with this compact unit.

The DirtBuster Hand Vac’s bagless Triple Action Filter System is designed to capture both large and small particles. This three-stage filter deflects dirt and debris off of a primary filter screen into the dirt bowl and then captures fine dust in the second and third pleated filters. An indicator shows when the filter needs to be cleaned or changed, or when the 13-ounce-capacity bowl needs emptying.

The DirtBuster Hand Vac is covered by a full two-year warranty and has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $39.99.

For more information, contact:
The Black & Decker Corporation
701 E. Joppa Road
Towson, MD 21286
(800) 544-6986
www.blackanddecker.com

The Safety Rail-Guided Mandoline provides uniform slicing and cutting of vegetables and fruit in a compact unit that keeps hands away from sharp blades. The device includes four inserts to create slices that range in thickness from 1/32-inch to 1/4-inch, as well as 1/4-inch and 1/8-inch julienne slicing inserts and a storage caddy for the inserts. Non-skid rubber feet hold the unit securely on the counter, while an indentation on the edge of the base allows it to be used on top of a bowl when desired.

The food holder, which can accommodate even large potatoes and long vegetables such as zucchini, slides back and forth over the slicing blade on a rail-guided system. For easy cleanup, the Safety Rail-Guided Mandoline is designed with rounded corners and edges with few crevasses to trap food. When not in use, the storage caddy slides into the base, providing a cover for the V-shaped stainless-steel blade.

The Safety Rail-Guided Mandoline has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $49.95.

For more information, contact:
Zyliss USA Corp.
19751 Descartes
Foothill Ranch, CA 92610-2620
(888) 794-7623
www.zylissusa.com

The one-piece Rope Cincher is touted in company literature as “the only tie-down product that can be applied anywhere on a single line of standard braided rope, or to join two loose ends of rope.” Made of glass-filled nylon for strength and durability, it is said to eliminate the need for hooks, elastic cord, straps, and buckles. A single person reportedly can use the Rope Cincher to secure items on roof racks and in truck beds. The rope is locked in place simply by rotating the device. And, according to product literature, once locked in place it keeps materials totally secure while the vehicle is in motion or in heavy wind. The Rope Cincher also can be used to secure tarps or to bundle material for storage.

The Rope Cincher has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $14.95 and comes with a 15-foot length of 3/8-inch rope. It is covered by a limited one-year warranty.

For more information, contact:
Perhacs Design
c/o The Better Mousetrap People
170 E. Bakerview Road, Unit 1109
Bellingham, WA 98226
(800) 343-3275

The Gandy Pedal-Partner can be used to connect two bikes side-by-side, allowing balance-free cycling for the physically challenged and for those who just like to visit while cycling.

Base posts attach to the bikes’ front and rear axles, yokes, and seat posts. Four tubular crossbars snap quickly and securely onto the base posts. A fifth bar joins the front tires to allow parallel turning with one person doing the steering and the other resting. Both riders can pedal, although on smooth terrain, one-person pedaling is possible. For individual riding, transport, and storage, the Pedal-Partner crossbars unsnap for quick disassembly.

The Pedal-Partner is priced at $155 plus shipping. An optional Basket Mounting Kit is priced at $24 plus shipping.

For more information, contact:
Gandy Company
P.O. Box 528
Owatonna, MN 55060
(800) 443-2476
www.gandy.net

DesignerDash dash overlay kits from Pace Edwards are available for most trucks, vans, sport utility vehicles, and type C motorhomes. These UV-stable, scratch-resistant ABS laminates promise to “add a touch of class and style” to an area you see each time you drive. The kits are said to install in seconds right over the existing factory dash using pressure-sensitive adhesive and do not require any drilling or cutting. DesignerDash kits are available in a high-gloss wood grain or carbon fiber finish, plus a recently introduced brushed-aluminum look.

For more information, contact:
Pace Edwards
2400 Commercial Blvd.
Centralia, WA 98531
(888) 640-5902
www.paceedwards.com

The Trailmaster barbecue grill combines an electric rotisserie with a heavy-duty steel box frame. And with an available trailer-hitch adapter, the Trailmaster can be used on the road or at tailgate parties. The grill is big enough to handle enough meat for up to 50 people, and the enclosed indirect heat from the propane burner promises hands-off cooking without flare-ups.

The stainless-steel Ferris wheel-type racks allow self-basting and easy loading and unloading of the food. Other standard features include a wood chip tray and a stainless-steel griddle.

The Trailmaster is available for $1,799 plus shipping and handling. The trailer-hitch adapter allows one-person loading and unloading and is priced at $180 plus shipping and handling.

For more information, contact:
Cowboy BBQ
8717 Township Road
Live Oak, CA 95953
(530) 695-0717
Fax: (530) 695-1287
www.cowboybbq.com

Thetford Corporation offers two hand-care products made specifically for the RV lifestyle. Both Soap Staytion hand soap and Sani Staytion hand sanitizer are designed to work effectively and to save water. Plus, thanks to a specially designed bottle and adhesive base, they travel safely and allow quick and easy bottle replacement.

Soap Staytion features a non-thickened antibacterial lather that allows you to wash your hands without wetting them first. Product literature promises that it is easy on hands and rinses away easily. Sani Staytion is a waterless hand-sanitizing gel that is said to kill 99.9 percent of germs, making it ideal for use in the kitchen, bath, or motorhome basement.

Both pumps lock to help prevent spills, and both products are said to be safe for holding tanks. Soap Staytion and Sani Staytion are individually available in a Starter Kit containing a 10-ounce bottle with pump and base. Refill packages contain two 10-ounce bottles of the desired product and a replacement pump. A Combination Starter Kit includes one 10-ounce bottle of each product, along with a pump and base for each.

For more information, contact:
Thetford Corporation
P.O. Box 1285
Ann Arbor, MI 48106
(800) 521-3032
(734) 769-6000
www.thetford.com

The Drinkcad from Paradise Island Enterprises is described as “the beverage holder that works!” Product literature notes that it will not scratch or damage railings or handles, and it has a patented self-leveling design that swivels to avoid spills. It can be attached to a boat, golf cart, or lawn chair and can even be used in less common applications, such as on a bicycle, wheelchair, or stroller.

The Drinkcad is covered by a lifetime guarantee and carries a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $8.98 plus shipping and handling.

For more information, contact:
Paradise Island Enterprises Inc.
4534 Colleen St.
Port Charlotte, FL 33952
(941) 764-0790
Fax: (941) 625-1317