Travel Cardigan
We can’t cite a study that proves it, but women feel chilly more often than men. They just do. With that in mind, the Pocket Poppet Cardigan on the Go stays clean and dry in an attached water-repellent pocket until needed. Then, pull it out and slip on the open-front cardigan; the pouch — which now can function as a pocket for small items — is concealed in the small of the wearer’s back. All warmed up? Fold the cardigan away, pop it back into its pouch, and tuck it into a midsize purse.
According to H&K Poppet Co. literature, the Pocket Poppet, made of high-quality rayon blended with 6 percent spandex, might crease somewhat when packed, but the creases fall out relatively easily with body heat.
The “Classic” Pocket Poppet is available in seven colors and five sizes ranging from extra small to extra large. The suggested retail price is $99.
H&K Poppet Co. LLC
P.O. Box 93
Williams Bay, WI 53191
(262) 949-9036
www.pocketpoppet.com
Dog Bath
When Fido gets filthy, it’s bath time. But if bringing your muddy mutt into your motorhome for a shower sounds like a bad idea, an alternative is the Dirty Dog Bath Tub from Aussie Naturals.
Company literature indicates that the 36-inch diameter tub sets up quickly without tools. It’s made with a double-wall polyester and nylon shell that is held in place by a steel frame. When bath time is over, a large nozzle quickly drains the water, and the frame collapses and fastens for storage. The suggested retail price is $89.99.
Aussie Naturals
820 Church St.
Decatur, GA 30030
(888) 604-8249
www.aussienaturals.org
Foldable Step Stool
Need a boost? Unfold the two-step stool from Range Kleen, and you’ll see the world from an elevation that is 17.5 inches higher.
Range Kleen says the gray stool, designed for indoor use only, is made of sturdy plastic, weighs 6 pounds, and can hold up to 300 pounds. It features no-slip rubber grips on the feet and traction pads on top of the stool. Motorhome owners will like that it’s easy to store; it folds up to approximately 25.5 inches long, 21.5 inches wide, and 2.5 inches deep.
The suggested retail price is $53.99.
Range Kleen Manufacturing Inc.
4240 East Road
Lima, OH 45807
(419) 331-8000
www.rangekleen.com
Clamp-On Flashlight
A hearty “thank you” goes out to all those who have patiently held a flashlight while we performed a task that required two hands. But their services might no longer be needed, thanks to the Clamplight from Blackfire. It clamps on to virtually anything — shelves, doors, pipes, and tree branches, for example — and pivots so the light shines where it’s needed. (So no more “Hold that thing steady, will ya?”) The Clamplight can stand up by itself, too.
The Clamplight, which is molded in high-impact ABS plastic and uses three AAA batteries, has an LED that provides up to 100 lumens of light for 100,000 hours, company literatures notes. The suggested retail price is $27.99.
Blackfire
41 E. 11th St., 11th Floor
New York, NY 10003
(877) 572-4184
www.blackfire-usa.com
Bicycle Bag
Randy Mote, owner of USA Roadbag, likes to say that every time he sells a bag, he loses a customer. He says that’s because the bicycle covers are so well built, people won’t ever have to buy another.
The heavy-duty, 600-denier-canvas Roadbags are waterproof and come in two sizes. The LT-37 holds two to three bikes; the cost is $169.95. The LT-47 holds three to four bikes; the cost is $179.95. The bags also can be used for smaller motorcycles and scooters. The bags come in two halves that zip together and fit all rear hitch receiver bike/motorcycle racks. (It’s recommended that an adapter be used if the bike has a slanted center tube.) The bags have glow-in-the-dark piping for better visibility at night. Sewn-in D rings allow the bag to be tightened snugly around bikes.
USA Roadbag
210 Sherman Ave. #149
Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814
(208) 660-6351
www.usaroadbag.com
Finish Restorer
Does every scratch or blemish on your motorhome’s exterior finish cause you a little sadness? Likewise with fading that results from oxidation? Well then, there’s Wade Maid’s RV Finish Restorer with Wax, which is formulated to restore finishes typically used on RVs, including paint, gel coat, aluminum, and fiberglass.
According to company literature, the product contains no silica, an ingredient common in many vehicle polishes. Rather, RV Finish Restorer with Wax is infused with tiny carnauba wax capsules that break down at the end of the polishing cycle to give the surface a protected finish. The product can be applied by hand or machine.
The suggested retail price for a 32-ounce bottle is $49.99.
Wade Maid
9080 S. March Point Road
Anacortes, WA 98221
(866) 500-5054
www.wademaid.com
Holding Tank Cleanser
Yes, microbes are small — millions can fit in the eye of a needle — but they’re also powerful. Bio S.I. Septic Cleanser unleashes their power to break down and decompose the solid waste that can become trapped in motorhome waste systems.
Bio S.I. literature notes that the cleanser is safe for use with PVC or metal plumbing. The product contains all-natural, soil-borne microbes that help to avoid odors, prevent clogged lines, and keep waste flowing freely to holding tanks. One application per month — 4 ounces into the black-water holding tank, and 1 ounce down each sink — should suffice, with a bit more added to the tank after cleanout.
The suggested retail price is $30 per quart.
Bio S.I. Technology
P.O. Box 784
Argyle, TX 76226
(866) 393-4786
(840) 648-2425
www.biositechnology.com
Air Spring Kit
Sway is not okay when it involves a motorhome. Because of a coach’s high center of gravity, side-to-side movements can be exacerbated on winding roads or when winds kick up. To provide load support, Air Lift Company offers adjustable air spring kits that work with a vehicle’s existing leaf or coil suspension.
Company officials note that the air spring kits, which can be installed using common hand tools, help to properly distribute weight to all four tires. For coil-spring suspensions, the kits provide up to 1,000 pounds of leveling capacity; for leaf-spring suspensions, up to 5,000 pounds of leveling capacity. The springs also are said to improve braking, steering control, and headlight aim.
Kits are available for most popular Type A and Type C motorhome chassis, including Ford, Chevrolet, and Dodge. A lifetime warranty covers the springs, brackets, fittings, and mounting hardware. Kits for coil-spring applications start at $136.54; for leaf-spring applications, prices start at $465.02.
Air Lift Company
2727 Snow Road
Lansing, MI 48917
(800) 248-0892
www.airliftcompany.com
Refrigerator Fan
This is an open-and-shut case that has nothing to do with legal proceedings and everything to do with refrigerators. Fact is, if you often open and shut your motorhome’s fridge door, the box has a hard time maintaining a consistent temperature, especially during warmer weather.
The battery-operated FridgeCool refrigerator fan from Valterra Products circulates air inside the box, thereby helping to maintain an even temperature and speeding up the cool-down time after groceries are placed inside. Food is therefore less likely to spoil.
Valterra says the FridgeCool runs continuously for 30 days on two “D” batteries (not included). The suggested retail price is $19.16.
Valterra Products LLC
15230 San Fernando Mission Blvd. #107
Mission Hills, CA 91345
(818) 898-1671
www.valterra.com