Unisex Hooded Jacket
When threatening clouds roll in or there’s a chill in the campground air, you could take refuge inside your motorhome. Instead, brave the elements while showing off your stylish Driftwood Hooded Jacket from the FMCA Store.
The 100-percent-polyester microfiber jacket is water-resistant. It has a zippered front, a mesh-lined hood and body, nylon-lined sleeves, two zippered pockets, and an elastic/drawstring waist with fashion toggles. Oh, and an embroidered FMCA logo, of course. The price is $46 for sizes ranging from small to XL; $47 for size 2XL.
FMCA
8291 Clough Pike
Cincinnati, OH 45244
(800) 543-3622
(513) 474-3622
https://store.fmca.com
Travel Pillow
Some people are so good at napping that they can do it with their eyes closed. Having a decent pillow certainly helps. The Znzi Travel Stuff Pillow is made of soft, machine-washable fabric; measures 19 inches by 12 inches; and is available in three colors: charcoal, plum, or navy.
But what’s different about Znzi is that it’s made with six magnets and two suction cups that allow the pillow to snap, stick, or roll into different shapes for personalized head and neck support, whether you’re in a motorhome, car, plane, or train. It can also be used for back support. A travel bag is included. The suggested retail price is $38.99.
Znzi Travel Stuff
1108 Summit Ave., Suite 2
Plano, TX 75074
(972) 422-2843
www.znzitravelstuff.com
Adult Coloring Books
Coloring books aren’t just for kids anymore. A 2015 article in Publishers Weekly magazine noted: “Coloring books for adults are this year’s surprise smash hit.” Reasons range from nostalgia to stress relief.
Skyhorse Publishing’s Portable Coloring for Creative Adults series includes the titles Calming Patterns, Natural Wonders, Sea Life, and Flying Wonders. Each hardcover book is 6.5 inches by 8.5 inches and features 75 black-and-white illustrations. The cost of each book is $12.99. Tip: While you might pine for the crayons of your youth, the intricate designs in these books really call for colored pencils or art markers.
Skyhorse Publishing Inc.
307 W. 36th St., 11th Floor
New York, NY 10018
(212) 643-6816
www.skyhorsepublishing.com
Portable Dog Bowl
As writer Dave Barry has noted: “You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will give you a look that says, ‘Wow, you’re right! I never would’ve thought of that!’” Just don’t forget your four-legged friend’s needs when on an extended campground walk or a trek on a long trail. EzyDog’s Fold-A-Bowl is a portable dog bowl for food or water. It folds flat when not in use, so it easily can fit in a pocket or bag. Or, attach the bowl’s clip to a backpack or belt.
The Fold-A-Bowl, available in black, is leak-proof and easy to clean, according to EzyDog’s website. The small size (25 ounces) costs $16; the large bowl (42 ounces) costs $18.
Ezydog
P.O. Box 99
Sandpoint, ID 83864
(208) 263-3181
www.ezydog.com
Axle Covers
In the mid-1980s, Tim Kane, a long-haul truck driver, saw a need for an American-made axle cover, one that would be suitable for any vehicle with 10-lug wheels, including motorhomes. He produced what he calls the Ultimate Axle Cover and was granted a patent for it in 1987.
The covers, which are made of stainless steel, serve a practical purpose. They cover the hub and lug nuts, making it easier to clean and polish the wheel. What’s more, the covers meet Tim’s other objective: improve a vehicle’s appearance. The cost is $145 for each front cover; $210 for each rear cover.
T. Kane Enterprises
509 Gran Quivira Road
Box 421
Corona, NM 88318
(800) 550-2466
www.tkane.com
Jump Starter/Battery Charger
The Jump Starter Battery + Professional from Weego is small enough to fit in a pocket, but it is said to be powerful enough to jump-start the 12-volt-lead-acid batteries in many types of motorized vehicles. It also can charge a cell phone, tablet, or laptop.
The device measures 9 inches by 3.5 inches by 1.125 inches and weighs about 1 pound. It contains a lithium-polymer battery with a capacity of 18,000 milliampere-hours (mAh). According to company literature, that’s enough power to jump-start a vehicle with a gas engine up to approximately 9.6 liters, or a vehicle with a diesel engine up to approximately 4.8 liters. Product specs indicate the device loses about 2 percent of its charge per month. The suggested price of the Jump Starter Battery + Professional is $189.99.
Weego
(844) 699-3346
www.myweego.com
Water Hose Connector
You can’t always count on a campground’s outdoor water faucet or spigot to have decent threads; sometimes there are no threads at all. That can make it difficult, if not impossible, to connect your threaded water hose to the spigot. Camco’s Water Bandit offers a solution.
The 3 1/4-inch-long Water Bandit is a brass male water connection that is attached to a flexible silicone polymer sleeve. The sleeve stretches to connect to virtually any standard-size water connection, even if there are no threads or the threads are worn. Take note: The Water Bandit isn’t designed for use with a pressurized water hose; the other end of the hose must stay open, lest the Water Bandit pop off the spigot. The suggested retail price is $5.99.
Camco Manufacturing Inc.
121 Landmark Drive
Greensboro, NC 27409
(800) 334-2004
www.camco.net
Dashboard Tablet
The Rand McNally RV Tablet 80 is designed specifically for RVers. It’s a GPS, a dashboard camera, and an Android tablet, all in one device with an 8-inch screen.
The GPS features RV-specific routing; points of interest; and live weather, traffic, and fuel prices, among other info. The device comes preloaded with Rand McNally travel apps, including TripMaker, which facilitates trip planning. Wi-Fi connectivity allows users to check email, interact on social media, and watch movies. A powered magnetic mount holds the tablet in place on the dash; the tablet detaches easily without removing the cord. The suggested retail price of the RV Tablet 80 is $499.99.
Rand McNally
9855 Woods Drive
Skokie, IL 60077
(800) 275-7263
www.randmcnally.com/rvtablet
Wall-Mount Stereo
The recently introduced Jensen JWM6A stereo from ASA Electronics is a 12-volt-DC-powered model that receives streaming audio from Bluetooth-enabled devices. It has a digital AM/FM tuner with 30 station presets; a slot-type DVD/CD mechanism; and a front USB port for playing MP3 files or for charging phones.
RVers can control all of the stereo’s primary functions from a mobile device by downloading Jensen’s free app, jControl. A front AV auxiliary input allows you to take your digital library with you. Upgrading from an older model Jensen wall-mount stereo is easy, because the footprint remains the same. The suggested retail price of the JWM6A stereo is $329.99.
ASA Electronics
2602 Marina Drive
Elkhart, IN 46514
(800) 688-3135
(574) 266-3135
www.asaelectronics.com