Battery
The Deka “Ultimate” battery from East Penn Manufacturing Company Inc. features ultra-pure electrolyte plus an added electrolyte reservoir to retard plate dry-out. According to product literature, this results in a longer maintenance-free life for the battery.
Other features include special plate paste that improves reactivity with the electrolyte to provide more power per pound. Specially designed, reinforced “full-frame grids” with twice the wire diameter of normal grids are said to prolong battery life. In addition, negative envelope separators reduce internal short circuits caused by plate shedding and growth.
The Deka “Ultimate” is available in six BCI group sizes with up to 790 cold cranking amps at 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
For more information, contact:
East Penn Manufacturing Co. Inc.
Lyon Station, PA 19536-0147
(610) 682-6361
Fax: (610) 682-4781
www.eastpenn-deka.com
32-Inch Wiper Blade
Trico Products, a member of The Gates Group of Companies, offers a new 32-inch heavy-duty wiper blade. This new blade is configured to fit the wide-saddle wiper arms of 2000 and 2001 model-year Monaco Dynasty motorhomes, 1999 and 2000 model-year Monaco Signature motorhomes, 2001 Mountain High Coachworks Summit motorhomes, and 2001 Travel Supreme. The new blade, part number 67-321, has the same curved style as the company’s other 67 Series blades.
For more information, contact:
Trico Products
1900 Billy Mitchell Blvd.
Building D
Brownsville, TX 78521
(800) 388-7426
www.tricoproducts.com/hd
Awning Protection
The AwningSaver is designed to augment conventional roller tube locking mechanisms. By locking the roller tube to the awning arm, coach owners can prevent billowing of the awning canopy while driving. No riveting to the awning arm or coach is needed to easily and permanently install the AwningSaver. The device is clamped to the awning arm, and a ring lock fastens securely over the roller tube end. This prevents rotation of the awning tube. The ring lock can be opened and closed with a standard awning wand. The AwningSaver has a clear zinc finish and is available for $59.99.
For more information, contact:
AwningSaver
9706 Windy Hollow Drive
Irving, TX 75063
(817) 312-6911
www.awningsaver.com
RV Safes
American Fabricators offers a line of RV safes that are designed to protect valuables from theft while RVers enjoy their leisure time. Included in the product line are units designed for above-floor installation, plus two models that fit into the floor or other hollow spaces in a motorhome. The smallest RV safe, measuring 6 inches on all sides, comes with an Abloy key lock, features a lined interior, and can fit into a countertop or hollow space.
The 6-inch-by-12-inch-by-9-inch floor safe, with its recessed door and lock, also mounts in any hollow space and can be concealed under rugs or furniture. Optional knock-out holes on this model allow the safe to be bolted down for added theft resistance. This model comes with a Simplex push-button lock, a high-security Abloy key lock, or an ACE II medium-security key lock.
These lock choices also are available on the modular RV safe, designed for above-floor installation. With a capacity slightly less than the larger floor safe, this modular unit can be stacked vertically or horizontally and keyed to allow one master key to access multiple units.
The company’s RV safes are priced from $200. American Fabricators also manufactures a variety of safes for residential and business use.
For more information, contact:
American Fabricators
P.O. Box 2564
Youngstown, OH 44507
(800) 443-1745
www.rvsafes.com
Ratcheting Bicycle Rack
The Sportworks TranSport Series bicycle rack now features Sportworks’ Ratcheting Quick-load system (RQL). The rack can be attached to a 1-1/4-inch or 2-inch rear hitch. The patented support arm with RQL grip ratchets into place over the wheel of the bike and secures the bike to the rack.
According to product literature, a bike can be loaded in seconds without removing the wheels. The bike is simply lifted onto the rack, and the front wheel is then secured by raising the RQL arm up and onto the wheel and engaging the ratcheting teeth. The rear wheel is then secured using the patented Rear Wheel Lock Ring.
The Sportworks TranSport two-bike rack has a suggested retail price of $300. A folding third-bike option can be added for $130 and a fourth-bike add-on for $100. Sportworks also offers Quick-load Bike Racks for heavy bikes such as cruisers and electric models, carriers for recumbent bikes, and rooftop racks.
For more information, contact:
Sportworks
15500 Wood-Red Road N.E.
Building C 600
Woodinville, WA 98072
(888) 661-0555
(425) 483-7000
Fax: (425) 488-9001
www.bicycleracks.com
Sun/Snow Hat
The Sun Tamer Hat is said to be waterproof, sunproof, and virtually heatproof. In the winter, it promises to keep the wearer comfortable even in a snowstorm. Made of patented ultraviolet-stabilized Pro-Trim material, the Sun Tamer Hat has an innovative air-circulation ring to prevent heat entrapment and to provide comfort. The hat can totally shade and repel heat from the entire head and neck, and keep the wearer’s eyeglasses dry when worn in wet weather. The headband of the Sun Tamer Hat is both removable and washable.
For more information, contact:
Alu-Marine Corporation
1011 Capouse Ave.
Scranton, PA 18509
(800) 421-2586
www.suntamerhat.com
Water Pump
The Sensor Variable Speed Drive (VSD) water pressure system from Flojet is designed to provide a steady, homelike flow of water in an RV or boat. The pump eliminates the need for a pressure switch. Instead, the sensor-controlled unit uses a microprocessor for precise speed control of the pump to match the demand for water; when more water is needed, the motor responds to drive the pump for more water flow. Since the performance from no flow to maximum flow is sensor controlled, without any cycling, no accumulator tank is needed. And, according to product literature, the system is free of pulsation, water hammer, and shower temperature swings.
Two models of the Sensor VSD are available. The 8-amp Sensor VSD 3.7 is designed for RVs and boats up to 30 feet; the 10-amp Sensor VSD 4.5 delivers up to 4.5 gallons per minute for larger units.
For more information, contact:
Flojet
20 Icon
Foothill Ranch, CA 92610
(800) 235-6538
www.flojet.com
Cleaning System
The Mary Moppins Sof Wash cleaning accessory is said to make cleaning a motorhome possible anywhere with just two buckets of water, one for washing and the other for rinsing. No hose is required.
Made of 100 percent washable cotton, the Sof Wash is designed not to scratch, and it fits easily into a bucket. The cotton pad adheres to a swivel-headed pad holder that can be adjusted to control the tension on the swivel head. The Sof Wash is thin enough to slide under ladders and awning bars. The swivel action simplifies cleaning curves at the top of the coach yet allows the pad to lie flat for working on flat surfaces. A microfiber pad that removes bugs from windshields with only water also will fit on the swiveling pad holder.
Other Mary Moppins Cleaning System kits and accessories also are available. Prices for Mary Moppins cleaning systems start at $20.
For more information, contact:
Mary Moppins Cleaning System
1083 Tyson
Eugene, OR 97404
(800) 345-3934
www.goclean.com
Manual Awning
Product literature touts the Carefree of Colorado Quick ‘N’ EZ patio awning as “the world’s fastest, easiest to set up manual set-up awning.” The Quick ‘N’ EZ is essentially a manual version of the Carefree ONE-Touch 12-volt awning.
To open the Quick ‘N’ EZ awning, the user simply unlocks the roller, hooks the pull strap with the awning wand, and takes approximately three steps backward. As the awning strap is pulled, the canopy rolls out, and the roller height rises while the rafters unfold and lock straight to tension the fabric. Because the Quick ‘N’ EZ automatically rises to a preset pitch, water runs off the front of the awning so there is no need to tilt one side of the awning down. A tug on the awning strap is all that is needed to close the Quick ‘N’ EZ. This automatically unlocks the rafters and allows the springs to engage. The arms then lower and self-align for proper storage.
The Quick ‘N’ EZ hardware is available in white, cameo, and satin finishes. Fabric choices include vinyl with or without Alumaguard, and acrylic with Alumaguard.
For more information, contact:
Carefree of Colorado
2145 W. Sixth Ave.
Broomfield, CO 80020
(800) 621-2617
www.carefreeofcolorado.com
Street Atlas CD-ROM
DeLorme’s new Street Atlas USA Deluxe CD-ROM features more than 6.2 million miles of routable roads and more than 4 million points of interest, including restaurants, ATMs, fuel stops, schools, and more. And, according to product literature, it is the only software that lets travelers add their own routable and searchable roads. New housing developments mean new roads. With Street Atlas USA Deluxe these roads can be added, named, and used for routing. They instantly become part of the searchable roads included in the program.
The software also features voice-command technologies that allow users to speak to their computer and have the software obey their commands. This feature can be especially helpful when used with a GPS receiver such as DeLorme Earthmate. Not only can questions such as “Where am I?” be asked and answered, but the software can provide turn-by-turn audible directions 90 seconds in advance. Street Atlas USA Deluxe also offers a Print Preview feature that allows the selection of only those sections of the Travel Plan that are needed.
Street Atlas USA Deluxe runs on Microsoft Windows 95/98/2000/ME or Windows NT 4.0 and is priced at $59.95. Use with a Palm OS handheld requires Solus Pro software, which is available for an additional $49.95.
For more information, contact:
DeLorme
Two DeLorme Drive
P.O. Box 298
Yarmouth, ME 04096
(800) 561-5095
www.delorme.com