Bike Carrier Accepts Variety of Frames, Sizes

If you've ever lugged a bicycle or two on your RV excursions, you know how frustrating bike carriers can be. One RV couple we knew had a setup on their roof ladder--and spent many "enjoyable hours" fixing the thing in the middle of a road trip when it went gunnybag. Others complain about the fixed attitude of some manufacturers: The bike must hang by the frame. Great if you have a standard "top tube" bicycle--but get something a bit more esoteric and your carrier may not be smart enough to cope.

Cequent Towing--the parent company of Reese, who makes fifth wheel hitches--says it has the answer in its "Highland SportWing" bike carrier, designed to accommodate two bicycles.

The SportWing is a hitch-receiver mounted carrier, the cradle side of the carrier is poished aluminum and it's this end wherein the secret lies: Rather than insisting the frame be the point of contact, the adjustable cradle looks to hold the bike by the rims. Padded hooks prevent damage to the bike's rims, and adjustable sized rubber clamps lock onto a variety of rim sizes. Both full size adult bikes and kids rollers can ride in this fancy getup.

Street prices look to be about $120 and up for the SportWing, model number 5801200.

Keep an Eye on Your Rooftop Load

We've found a strange dichotomy in the desert southwest: RVers carrying kayaks. Not sure where they're using these things--maybe on the way "down and back." In any event, there's got to be a little anxiety now and then when traveling--how do you know if your rooftop cargo is staying where it ought?

Enter CargoView Mirror Company's overhead hauling utility mirror. It's one of those, "Gee, why didn't anybody think of this earlier?" things. A magnetically mounted convex mirror unit you set on your hood, up in plain sight of the driver (or shotgun rider). A quick glimpse in the mirror tells you when it's time to pull over and relash your stash.

Equipped with a "scratch free pad" said to prevent any finish damage, the overhead hauling utility mirror can be pulled off and stuffed in the glove box when you don't need it. Price? $19.95 plus shipping and handling from carogviewmirror.com.

New Adapter Grabs More Power for 50 Amp RVs

You who have those big and shiny rigs that suckle up only to 50 amp outlets can sometimes be a bit miffed when you roll into the "only available" RV park and find 15 and 30 amp circuits--but nothing for 50 amper users.

Sure, you can plug in the 30 amp female - to - 50 amp male converter plug, but you're still limited to pulling that maximum 30 amps. Camco says they have an answer: They call it their "Power Maximizer." Think of it as a two-way tap that pulls that 30 amp juice and adds that other little guy, the 15 amper, for a total of 45 amps available power. Yeah, it's not 50 amps, but it's a whale of a lot more than 30!

Here's the fine print: It works only circuits that are wired with a capacity to match the breakers; and it won't work if plugged into a GFI protected circuit. Street prices look to be around $55, but you'll be looking in all the odd places: Try J.C. Whitney on-line. It doesn't look like Camping World has jumped on board for this one yet. And speaking of on board, sorry you boat users, this product is ONLY for RVers.

Vent Cover Revisited--Now More Air Flow

It's hard to see an RV that doesn't have an after-market vent cover. When we say vent cover, we're not talking about that flat plastic (or metal) lid that covers that hole in your roof. Rather, these covers allow you to roll your roof vent open in nasty weather--keeping the rain out, but allowing an exchange of air.

The "household word" for vent covers for most RVers is Maxxair--they've been on the market for years. We broke down and bought a couple for our fifth wheel after years of cranking our vents open and close in a synchronized response to weather conditions. However, we weren't enthused with the way they crimped our air flow--having one on just didn't allow a real good flow of air.

Recently we had to pull vent covers off to perform vent lid maintenance. Don't forget a wrench before you make the roof ascent--the Maxxairs require tools to take off. Correction: They did require tools.

Maxxair has just hit the market with Maxxair II (is that "son of Maxxair?). Promising "Twice as much vent area as our original vent cove," this second generation offspring also promises to make maintenance issues a bit easier: Now you simply pull locking pins from one side of the installed vent, and the whole thing rolls over on the opposite side.

The extra ventilating power is provided by a larger vent-to-air ratio, and by providing cross ventilation through side louvers. The company also crows that the new covers can be used on powered ventilation fans, however one RVer noted that with the cover installed, he can't open his FantasticFan fully--but it still able to operate it successfully.

CampingWorld prices the son-o-Maxxair starting at a "member" price of $39. That's about ten more dollars than you'll pay for the original product.

FanTastic Fan: An Endless Breeze?

We read with interest that the FantasticFan folks have received a patent for their "Endless Breeze" fan system. We got one of these little hummers when they were first introduced--that was (if arthritic memory serves) a couple of years ago. Before we go into our experiences, we'll give you the company line:

Endless Breeze is a high volume 12 volt fan with a twelve inch blade that operates at three speeds. Air movement of up to 900 CFM (cubic feet per minute) introduces a major breakthrough in 12 volt portable fans. Portable it is! Standing only fourteen inches tall on retractable legs and less than four inches deep it travels and stores easily and weighs under five pounds. Endless Breeze can be powered by any 12 volt power source such as automotive lighter outlets or connecting jumpers to any 12 volt battery. Maximum current draw is three amps. Equipped with a 12 volt plug and cord. The uses for Endless Breeze are literally endless!

We have been impressed with the flow of air that comes out of this little box. With the low current consumption, it proves to be a great addition to the boondocker's toolbox, especially on those warm to hot days. We used ours, too, to circulate heat from our "blue flame" heater to the farther reaches of our fifth wheel. Other users swear by it for other duties, including defrosting the RV freezer.

However, those "retractable legs" did have a drawback, along with the easy carry handle: They broke. We liked the fan so much that we remanufactured both the legs and the carry handle out of aluminum, and to this day, our little Endless Breeze rides everywhere on research trips with us, ready to deliver a blast of refreshment. If you get one, just handle the handle (and the legs) with care, they need a bit more durability.

You can pick one of these little jewels up at most RV supply outfits, including Camping World.