Blank Journals
Keeping a journal is a way to capture motorhome memories — everything from the guests you greet to the grand adventures you long want to cherish. Eccolo offers a line of imported journals, many from Italy, that are diverse enough to suit any writer’s mood or budget.
Eccolo’s nine varieties of journals include Lofty Thinking, featuring hard covers adorned with motivational quotes from philosophers and writers. Writing Green combines recycled leather covers with paper from a certified, well-managed regrowth forest. And there’s Old World, which incorporates antiqued genuine leather with traditional imprintings.
Eccolo journals are available at Staples stores. Suggested retail prices range from $10 to $120.
Eccolo Ltd.
1425 37th St.
Brooklyn, NY 11218
(718) 686-8486
www.eccololtd.com
Reusable Lid
The Poppy Silicone Lid from Better Products LLC can create a vacuum seal on any smooth-rimmed bowl, container, or pot to preserve the food’s freshness while eliminating the need for plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
The Poppy Silicone Lid works with vessels made of glass, ceramic, wood, or other material and is microwave- and oven-safe at temperatures up to 425 degrees. It also can be used to cover items put in the refrigerator or freezer, can be used as a lid when cooking on the stove, and it is dishwasher-safe, so it can be used over and over again.
The lids are available in small (6-inch), medium (9-inch), and large (11-inch) sizes and have suggested retail prices of $8.99, $10.99, and $13.99, respectively.
Better Products LLC
P.O. Box 492
Rocky Hill, NJ 08553
(609) 356-4662 (information)
www.productswithstyle.com
Coffee Maker
Sometimes a single cup of coffee will do. Then there are times when friends stop by the motorhome and you need every drop in a full coffee pot. The TRU Crossover Brewer by Select Brands offers the versatility to brew a little or a lot from ground coffee, up to 10 cups at once.
The coffee maker is compatible with all K-cup varieties and accommodates various mug sizes, including travel mugs. It offers three single-serve selections: 6, 8, or 10 ounces.
The suggested retail price is $109.99.
Select Brands
10817 Renner Blvd.
Lenexa, KS 66219
(913) 663-4500
Compact Gas Grill
When you grill on the go, portability is important. The Napoleon TravelQ TQ285 Portable Gas Grill has folding legs that tuck away to make it more compact. It sets up in seconds.
When it’s time to fire up the dual stainless-steel gas burners, the TQ285 offers 12,000 BTU and 285 square inches of grilling area. Separate ignition and controls for each burner allow grilling directly over heat, using indirect heat, or smoking food with the optional Napoleon Smoker Tube.
The grill’s features include removable cast-iron cooking grids coated with porcelain to prevent rust; a temperature gauge; a windproof design; and an easy locking lid. The suggested retail price is $249. It’s available through online retailers and stores.
Napoleon Grills
214 Bayview Drive
Barrie, Ontario L4N 4Y8
(866) 820-8686
www.napoleongrills.com
Rubber Ties
Someday, maybe, we’ll live in a completely cordless world. In the meantime, instead of cursing the many cords and cables that clutter our lives, it’s possible to become organized with items such as the Q Knot, a reusable, multipurpose tie.
Not only can it help with tangled cords, but it also can be used for bundling objects or sealing plastic bags. It’s stretchable and flexible; features a self-locking design; can be easily released and retied; and comes in small, medium, and large lengths. Company literature suggests thinking of it as a new, improved version of rubber band.
The suggested retail price is $5.66 for a set of 12.
UT Wire
3162 E. La Palma Ave.
Unit F
Anaheim, CA 92806
(877) 838-2040
(714) 632-3516
www.UT-Wire.com
Nonslip Pet Bowl
If Fido or Fluffy could talk, they might vent their frustration with food and water bowls that don’t stay put in the motorhome. ModaPet’s solution: bowls with nonslip bases to help keep them in place.
The food-grade bowls are made of BPA-free plastic and are microwavable and dishwasher-safe. They come in a variety of styles and sizes that range from 2 to 5 cups. Cats and dogs have poorer color vision than humans, so pick from the assortment of vivid colors one that you like.
Prices range from $14.95 to $24.95 and are available online.
ModaPet
661 Sierra Rose Drive
Reno, NV 89511
(775) 852-2200
www.modapet.com
Cleaner And Wax
Cleaning a motorhome can be a big job, one nobody wants to spend more time on than necessary. Meguiar’sMarine and RV Rinse Free Wash-N-Wax is a cleaning and spray wax product from Meguiar’s that is specifically formulated for RV and boat surfaces, including gel coat, clear coat, fiberglass, glass, metal, and plastic.
The product can be applied without water on wet or dry surfaces, reducing cleaning time. Simply spray it on and then wipe it off with a microfiber towel. It employs a water-repelling technology that its maker says provides a long-lasting, high-gloss finish.
The cleaner and wax can be found at major retailers nationwide. The suggested retail price for a 32-ounce bottle is $19.95.
Meguiar’s
17991 Mitchell S.
Irvine, CA 92614
(800) 347-5700
www.meguiars.com
Mosquito Repellent
Mosquitos find us irresistible, unfortunately. In an effort to ward off the pesky bloodsuckers, folks who prefer products with a natural, chemical-free formula will want to consider La Fresh Travel Lite Insect Repellent Wipes.
According to company literature, a study conducted by an independent laboratory concluded that the wipes, which contain peppermint oil, are as effective as DEET. (Other natural ingredients in the wipes: castor oil, olive oil, sesame oil, and wheat germ oil.)
The product is available in retail stores and online. Wipes come individually wrapped. The suggested retail price is $2.49 for three packets; $19.99 for 48 packets.
La Fresh Group Inc.
4651 Schaefer Ave.
Chino, CA 91710
(888) 552-3737
www.lafreshgroup.com
Bit Set
It’s long been good advice, probably since cave men first uttered it to cave boys: Always use the right tool for the job. Motorhome owners might very well find uses for the Compact Pocket “Go Box” from Wiha Quality Tools. The 35-piece bit set is housed in a pocket-sized steel storage box. The 1/4-inch bit set features a 1/4-inch ClicFix locking magnetic bit holder and extra-fine 72-tooth ratchet.
The set includes hex inch sizes 1/16, 5/64, 3/32, 7/64, 1/8, 9/64, 5/32, 3/16, 7/32, and 1/4; hex metric (mm) sizes 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, and 6.0; Torx T8, T10, T15, T20, T25, T27, and T30; Square #1 and #2; slotted 5.5 mm and 6.0 mm; Phillips #0, #1, #2, and #3; and 1/4-inch hex to 1/4-inch square adapter.
The Go Box’s Internet price through October is $39.98.
Wiha Quality Tools
1348 Dundas Circle
Monticello, MN 55362
(800) 494-6104
(763) 295-6591
www.wihatools.com
{loadpositionEndBlurbProducts}