A/C Air Filter
When cool air from an air conditioner flows into your motorhome, pollen, mold spores, dust, and pet dander may come with it. According to the folks at RV Air Inc., that’s because the foam filter in the air conditioner keeps particles out of the equipment, but not the coach interior.
The RV Air Filter is designed to clean the air before it gets into the air conditioner. The 1.25-inch-thick filter is made of unwoven polyester and is said to block particles as small as 3 to 10 microns. The recyclable filters are available in a variety of sizes to fit most RV air conditioners. The price is $13.95 per filter, or $25.95 for two.
RV Air Inc.
721 Lakeview Road
Clearwater, FL 33756
(844) 782-4746
www.rvair.com
Holding Tank Deodorant
Your nose knows when the motorhome’s holding tank needs attention. Porta-Pak Holding Tank Deodorizer, from Walex Products, is formulated to infuse the tank with a fresh fragrance.
Two Porta-Pak fragrances are available: fresh scent and lavender breeze. According to the Walex website, the product dissolves quickly, helps break down waste and paper, and lubricates valves and seals. Porta-Pak contains no formaldehyde and is biodegradable. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price for a pack of 10 is $10.59.
Walex Products
P.O. Box 3785
Wilmington, NC 28406
(800) 338-3155
www.walex.com
Solar Charger
When boondocking, you rely heavily on your motorhome’s 12-volt batteries, so it’s a big-time bummer when those batteries lose their charge. Furrion’s 95W Portable Solar Power Charger uses the power of the sun to help prevent that from happening.
The charger, which employs polycrystalline solar technology, is equipped with a 10-amp battery charge controller. The charger’s panels unfold and can be connected in a few minutes. The suggested price of the 95W Portable Solar Power Charger is $499. If not preinstalled on your RV, a Furrion solar port inlet will be required; it costs $19.95.
Furrion
2612 Glenview Drive
Elkhart, IN 46514
(888) 354-5792
(574) 327-6571
www.furrion.com
Flag Mount
Patriotic people, this is for you. The Go-Flag1, from GOstik Products, is a double suction cup, adjustable-angle flagpole mount. A 6-foot-long spinner pole (spinning prevents the flag from tangling in the wind) and a 3-foot-by-5-foot U.S. flag are included.
The suction cup mount attaches in seconds to any clean, flat, nonporous surface, such as a motorhome’s front windshield or a side panel. The two-piece pole comes apart for easy storage while traveling. The cost of the Go-Flag1 is $89.
GOstik Products
1406 Beach Club Lane
Apollo Beach, FL 33572
(813) 833-7360
www.gostikproducts.com
Camp Kitchen Knife
You may not associate zirconium oxide with slicing fruits, vegetables, or boneless meat, but maybe you should. The blade of Kyocera’s Outdoor Ceramic Camp Kitchen Knife is made of zirconium oxide, which is harder and lighter than steel. Plus, the blade won’t rust.
The 4-inch ceramic knife is ideal for camping, fishing, hiking, and tailgate parties. The ceramic stays sharp up to 10 times longer than premium metal knives, according to Kyocera literature. The knife comes with a sheath made of heavy-duty nylon. The suggested retail price is $34.95.
Kyocera International Inc.
3565 Cadillac Ave.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(800) 537-0294
www.kyoceraadvancedceramics.com
Inflatable SUP
If you’re ready to take your on-the-water exploits to a new level, a standup paddleboard (SUP) may be calling your name. Body Glove offers inflatable models, including the Performer 11, designed by paddling champ and RV owner Luke Hopkins.
The paddleboard, which weighs just under 24 pounds, is made of heavy-duty polyvinyl fabric and has three permanent, virtually indestructible fins. The triple-layer stringer design provides the board’s rigidity and overall strength. When inflated (in less than five minutes using an included hand pump), the board is 34 inches wide. It comes with an adjustable aluminum paddle (70 to 85 inches); a patented handle that can hold a paddle or water bottle; a cell phone dry bag; an ankle leash; and a backpack for carrying everything. The cost is $899.99.
Body Glove International
504 N. Broadway
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
(310) 374-3441
www.bodyglove.com
No-Tree Hammock
It is quite possible to get a headache by reading everything there is to know about hanging a hammock. Ridgeline length, cord tension, hang angles, etc., etc. Plus the trees are never the right distance apart!
The Kamp-Rite Kwik Set Hammock, which weighs about 33 pounds, is designed for easy setup. The collapsible frame opens up and folds down quickly. No trees are necessary, so you can relax in it almost anywhere. Folded for travel, the hammock measures 52 inches by 11 inches by 7 inches. A carry bag is included. The hammock’s price is $119.99.
Kamp-Rite
7400 14th Ave.
Sacramento, CA 95820
(916) 383-9460
www.kamprite.com
Communication System
When a motorhome is being backed into a parking spot, communication between the driver and the spotter often involves a whole lot of shouting. COME BACK TWO FEET. YOU’RE OKAY ON THE RIGHT. STOP!!! But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Vocal cords can be spared and communication enhanced by using the UltraLITE wireless headsets from Eartec. The lightweight headsets provide hands-free, two-way voice communications, with no FCC licensing required. There’s no need to push buttons; just turn on the headsets and talk. Up to four people can be linked. Lithium-polymer batteries provide up to six hours of operating time. Single-ear headsets ($150 each) or double-ear headsets ($175 each) are available. A standard charger comes with the purchase of two or more headsets.
Eartec
145 Dean Knauss Drive
Narragansett, RI 02882
(800) 399-5994
www.eartec.com
Dry Shampoo
We understand why you might skip some hair washings to conserve water in your RV. That’s why some people turn to a dry shampoo such as Batiste, which requires no water.
Batiste Dry Shampoo is a starch-based product formulated to help eliminate oil at the roots, while also giving the hair some body. Directions are simple: Spray the product on hair roots; massage in; and then brush and style the hair. Batiste is available in various scents, including Original (clean and classic) and Tropical (coconut and exotic). The cost is $7.99 for a 6.73-ounce can. Batiste Hint of Color is a tinted dry shampoo for light, medium, or dark hair. Its price is $8.99 for a 6.73-ounce can.
Church & Dwight
500 Charles Ewing Blvd.
Ewing Township, NJ 08628
(800) 524-1328
www.batistehair.com