Tunebug Vibe brings big sound in small space

With the ever-growing popularity of audio devices like iPods and cell phones with built-in media players, many RVers are joining the ranks of those who download their favorite music and take it with them. Teenagers aren't the only ones seen with their ears stuffed with plastic bugs, engrossed in a world of sound.

But like most everything else that's really good, music is even better when shared. For RVers, sharing the music from your pocket device gets a bit dicier; space is often at a premium, and weight considerations also come into play. It's not always possible to port the iPod into a big sound system and crank the gain. Enter the Vibe from Tunebug.

The Vibe allows you to share audio from your portable devices, music-enhanced cell phones, laptop computers, MP3 players--anything that produces audio through the standard headset jack that's 3.5 mm. Link up your audio player to the Vibe with the included audio cable, and settle the device down on any handy flat surface, turning the surface into a flat projection speaker. What makes the Vibe an attractive bring-along for RVers is its small profile. Scaling in at less than six ounces, it certainly shouldn't tip you over your rig's Net Carrying Capacity. And the Vibe's--how do we describe it--curvaceous triangle profile that's only 2.3" wide by a slim 1" in height will slip in just about any stowage space available.

We wondered about how well Vibe projected sound, and Tunebug provided us an evaluation unit. While theoretically any available flat surface can (and does) provide sound, better quality shines when a hollow surface is used. For us, a "shelf" formed over the area where our rig's propane tanks live gave some of the best sound, easily rivaling our laptop computer speakers--much greater range of sound here. It'll play on a countertop, table, even a TV tray. Short on appropriate surfaces? The Vibe storage box (itself somewhat akin to a work of art) makes a good platform, but we found the sound from the box a little short on bass notes.

While the sound reproduction seemed pretty credible, music lovers may miss the stereophonic quality of multiple speakers. The Vibe does play both left and right music channels, but as a single transducer, it is strictly mono. The Vibe takes it's power on board and stores it in a non-replaceable Lithium Polymer battery that the company says should last for several years. When the battery gets low, the Vibe plugs into any USB port, or you could (as we do) plug it into a USB wall charger.

With a suggested retail of about $70, we also found that by shopping around, you could drop about $10 off the price by shopping on Amazon.

For more info, visit the Tunebug website.

Thetford's "Smart Drain" revisited

Back in January we wrote about Thetford's fancy "Smart Drain" holding tank drain hose system. At the time we gave your our initial "feel" for the product, and warned we might come back later after we'd had it a while to give it the real-world test. Warning! Here we are again.

The "Smart Drain" system is built around Thetford's nearly indestructible hose, which lives up to the claims. You can walk on it, drive over it, stretch it, compact it, and leave it lying around, and the thing really does spring back. We've been using ours for several months, and not even the smallest of pinholes has developed. That doesn't mean you'll never face a spill.

To the contrary. Our field testing of the Smart Drain has been done on both a fifth wheel and truck camper, the latter is one of those beasts where the RV drain connector points straight down to the ground, and forces the unfortunate user to basically climb down under the rig for a hookup. Years ago, this writer learned by an unspeakable baptism when you climb under an RV and fiddle with a sewer hose, BAD things can happen. It did to me, thanks to a tricky not-quite-snug bayonet fitting on a sewer hose.

The Thetford system doesn't hook up with a bayonet fitting, but rather, the hose fitting is snugged up against the rig outflow port equipped with a drain valve adapter, which the "SureLock" fitting on the end of the hose couples to, and then with the flip of two plastic lever tabs, providing "reliable, leak proof connections." Ahem. Maybe our SureLock has lost his Dr. Watson, because we've found of late, it's best to lock the tabs down, then quickly open and shut the gray water valve really fast to ensure that the SureLock really is locked, and not leaking. At the last dumping, two or three whacks and trying to ensure a leak proof connection failed. Only after the dirty dumping deed was done, with attendant mess at the station, did we find the station's rise hose was shut down. Really nice for the next bloke in line.

Grumbling under a camper, bumping your head, and trying to figure out why your fitting is leaking isn't the best way to enjoy an RV trip. The rest of the system works as described, but the SureLock locking mechanism may not hold up its end of the bargain. We're looking to see if we can keep that great hose, but go back to bayonet fittings.

Thetford's improved towable waste tanks

Thetford recently improved its portable waste tank, the SmartTote™. This tank features complete emptying, a more rugged handle and sturdier, stronger wheels. It is completely self-contained so no parts or accessories are required to buy or store.

SmartTote also features a self-storing sewer hose that stays connected to the tank to eliminate the need to carry and store another hose. With a cradle pivot, the hose easily extends up to 5' for a quick and clean hook-up. A bayonet cap prevents spills. In addition, the AutoStop™ level gauge/valve stops flow when the tank is full to prevent messy over-filling.

The tank come in 12-, 18-, 27- and 35-gallon capacities. Top-of-the-line LX models have four wheels for easy maneuvering, a handle that makes towing easy and stows flat for storage, and a rinse hose.

The Chilly Twist: It's not a dance step

The Chilly Twist is one of those ideas I wish I had thought of. We rolling-down-the-road RVers have special situations that we have to deal with that house dwellers don't. When I saw the Chilly Twist, I could see how it would fit right into the RV Lifestyle. The Chilly Twist is only a drinking cup, but a cleverly designed one.

The secret to its success is the bottom base, which is filled with a cold-retaining gel, and un-screws from the drinking part of the cup and is placed in the freezer overnight. When you're ready for a cold drink, screw the base onto the bottom of the cup and fill with a cold drink. The gel base keeps the drink cold--for as long as two or three hours at reefer temperatures or below--so that your last sip will be as cold--or colder--than your first. When was the last time your beer treated you with that?

But what makes this an especially good idea for RVers is:

• Heavy base keeps drink from turning over
• No more messing with spilling ice cube trays when traveling
• No more ice cubes diluting drink
• Cups stack to take up minimal space
• The cups come in six colors so you can always identify your cup
  
• All bases fit all cups (you can change color combinations)
  
• Unbreakable
• No more throwaway paper cups--good for the earth
• Good for you, too, since they are BPA and lead -free

You can learn more and order the cups from the Chill Twist website.

Waterless car wash for the RV?

One of the most put-off jobs around our funny farm is vehicle washing. As a kid, the male side of the writership used to work in a detail shop, and it wasn't too bad then, but age has caught up. Running back and forth with a bucket of soapy water and a garden hose, trying to beat hard water spots at their own game just doesn't have any appeal these days.

When we heard about Prolong Products "Waterless Wash and Shine" car wash product, the spray-it-on-wipe-it-off come on sounded a bit too good to be true. Prolong sent us some of their stuff, and here our our preliminary observations:

The promo sheet says you simply spray the stuff on a 2 by 2 foot area, then use a terry cloth to wipe up the liquid and the dirt, then hit it again to wipe it (not buff it) to a shine. "Best for use on light or moderate dirt. Do not use on heavily soiled vehicles." In the female mind, "heavily soiled" would define the pickup after not having been washed in a few months. In the male mind, "heavily soiled" means you've been out "stump jumpin'" and the dirt needs to be knocked off with a pick axe. For our first test, we went with the "not been washed in a few months," idea.

For those of you with a definite and loving appreciation of a fine, never been scratched paint surface, you may shudder at the thought of rubbing your paint with any sort of dirt present. Prolong says their product works by encapsulating the dirt, thus protecting the paint. A few squirts of the stuff on the recommended area, a wipe down, and a stand back. It really did take the dirt off, and there was no tough buffing to get a nice shine.

While the company says you can use Waterless Wash and Shine in direct sun, our 80 test temperature says we'd prefer to start earlier in the morning. Spray on, sure, but if the vehicle body is hot, the stuff begins to evaporate too fast for our taste. But working on the shady side of the truck, the stuff is great. It's springtime in the southwest, and a bug's heart turns to thoughts of flying down the freeway and SPLATTERING on passing trucks. A quick spray of the product, then a half minute wait before hitting it with the clean side of the towel removed the bugs with relative ease. While Prolong says it's great on tree sap, we didn't find it to be so. Perhaps our tree sap is just extra sticky, but we found bug and tar remover to be in order for ours.

Another issue for RVers, particularly those in hard water country is this: Hard water sloshing down the paint job is best removed quickly. Our truck camper water inlet port is directly above the street-side fender--and driving around a corner right after filling the tank is just asking for a big slosh down the side of the pickup. This product didn't even TOUCH the hard water residue. We broke down and rubbed like mad using vinegar as a cutting medium--it helped--but the damage is tougher than a group of Marines at boot camp.

What about fiberglass RV bodies? If you have a weather damaged veteran like ours, look to see this Prolong product take the dirt off, but don't expect any miraculous transformation in terms of added shine. Yeah, it looks better, but you'll still be dealing with the realities of dull siding.

Coverage? Prolong says up to five vehicles per bottle. OK, maybe five econo-boxes; of course you'll use more of the liquid for heavier deposits of dirt. It's too early for us to make a call on how many full sized pickup washes we'll get out of the standard 17-ounce bottle. My guess would be in the neighborhood of three, but time will tell. Time will also be needed to see just how long the shine lasts in various weather conditions. We'll get back to you on that one.

Into "green" products? The material data safety sheet (MDSS) seems to indicate the active ingredient in this cleaner is D-Limonene, a citrus byproduct. The smell, while we wouldn't describe it as "pleasant" is certainly not repulsive like a heavy petroleum distillate. Wash your hands after using the stuff.

A 17-ounce bottle of Prolong Waterless Wash & Shine does a suggested retail price of $9.95. You'll find it at Pep Boys and Autozone; or check out the prolong.com web site for a store finder, or you can buy it directly from their online store.

Space saving Wondawedge also helps prevent back pain

RV living has its challenges. One is space. If you've followed the RVers old adage that for everything you bring aboard, something must go off, the Wondawedge helps solve a space problem and be a comfort-producing healthy addition as well.

If you relax or read in bed, at the beach, by a stream, or just about anywhere, the inflatable Wondawedge back support wedge will be your preferred companion. But it may also replace some of those pillows that you use in your RV to prop yourself up in bed to read. And since it was designed by a couple of physiotherapists to be a full-sized back support it is both comfortable and helps prevent back pain from poor posture (as when piles of pillows are propped up behind you) as well.

A nice--and useful--feature is the attached mat, so that your body weight (lying on the mat) prevents the wedge from slipping away or sliding out from under you. It is low tech, low maintenance, easily inflated with any hand, foot, or electric pump (not included), and deflates and stows away in a mini plastic bag for easy portability and stowage. For more information and where to buy, check the Wondawedge Web site.

Wondawedge is offering a 20% discount to readers of Great RV Gear and RVtravel.com. Your discount is redeemable at check out in their online store. Use Coupon code RV410>

Learn about Bob Difley's boondocking eBooks at RVbookstore.com

FoldTuk collapsible bakeware perfect for RVers

If you are both an RVer and a boondocker, the new FoldTuk line of cooking products are a good fit into your lifestyle. I liked the FoldTuk baking dish mainly because of the design feature that enables you to collapse the dish to one inch in height, requiring much less space in your cabinets when storing, always a good point in an RV.

But I found out it was a lot more also, each feature being an advantage to RVers and boondockers. For strictly convenience, the FoldTuk can be used in conventional, convection, infrared, and microwave ovens due to its green and petroleum free Ceramber material, which contains no toxic materials.

Ceramber, invented by an Ohio State University alumnus, Duncan Fung, is a ceramic/silicone compound that will not shrink or shatter (100% shattter proof) when moved from hot to cold conditions, allowing FoldTuk bakeware to move directly from freezer to oven. Also, because of the characteristics of its silicone base, food does not stick to the bakeware, meaning less effort and water needed for cleanup. It is also dishwasher safe.

What an advantage it is to be able to prepare a dish at home, snap on the air-tight lid and freeze it in the container you prepared it. When it comes time to cook, it goes directly from freezer to oven (remove the lid first), bake, and serve--in the same dish. If there are leftovers, simply snap the cover on and place back in the reefer or freezer.

For clean-up, most food will simple wipe out of the baking dish with a paper towel, making hand washing easy, or put in the dishwasher. For storing, collapse by pushing down on the top and snap the lid on and store. You can stack five FoldTuk baking dishes in less space than two similar capacity ceramic baking dishes.

You can find out more about FoldTuk on their Web site, where you can also locate a dealer.

Don't be in the dark: New led flash right at hand

If you're like some of us, you find yourself in the dark more often than you like--and usually without the benefit of a flashlight. We've got them stashed everywhere--in the glove box, the "junk drawer" and in the tool box. But none of them ever seem to be in reach when we need it. We've learned to take to flipping open a cell phone and allowing that feeble bit of light to help out.

Finally someone came up with a lightweight, small, but BRIGHT light that works. Mayfair Lane, an Internet retailer, brings forth Light Ups. These tiny (inch and a third by two and half inch) devices come on a clip that will stick to your belt loop, purse, or just in your pocket. No fumbling with a switch, just grab the Light Up and pull it away from the clip. The light divides into two pieces--a small portion staying with the clip--by way of magnetic attraction. Mayfair sent us a "Palm Tree" version of their Light Up and we've been using it for a few weeks.

The business end of the Light Up, as soon as it's parted from the clip, illuminates by way of three strong LED lights. These are bright lights, and they'll shine your path, help you spot the dog after it took off on your midnight walk, or brilliantly illuminate the keyhole on your RV. Once you're done with it, just move the light back into the vicinity of the clip and the strong magnet will "grab" the light, pull it home to its (if you will) docking port, and shut the rig off.

Unlike small, "toss it" flashlights, the Light Up is equipped with replaceable, long-lasting Lithium batteries, so if you get to like your Light Up as much as your tester does, you won't have to part with it. They also come in a wide variety of motifs. From pirate to palm tree, with a 23 other choices in between, you'll probably find a Light Up decorated to your taste. The company says they make a "fashionable key ring" but we're a bit more inclined not to add that extra weight to an already overloaded ignition switch.

Priced at $10 each, you can order them direct from mayfairlane.com.

"Pocket Disc" great for grandkids, safe for the RV

Taking the grandkids on an RV outing is great fun, but it's not always easy to keep them entertained. Enter PHD's Pocket Disc. Handcrafted from wool by Mayan women in Guatemala, think of Pocket Disc as the "safe" version of your old favorite Frisbee.

Pocket Disc is, if you'll pardon the pun, "catching on" with folks across a variety of lifestyles. At first glance you might mistake it as some sort of colorful, albeit oddball head wear for folks with smaller heads. Indeed, it could be donned as a headpiece, should you have the nerve. But it's a bit more fun to pick it up, and give it a flip. Caught by winds, you may wind up running a fur piece to catch up with it. But since it's made of wool, Pocket Disc will not endanger the windows or siding of your RV, and theoretically should be safe for indoor use.

Since the average RVer doesn't have a lot of knick-knack laden shelves, tossing Pocket Disc around the motorhome while en route to the next vista should be safe. Just keep the kids locked in their seatbelts--it should be a challenge to see how long they can toss it to one another before somebody goofs and lands it in some kind of out of bounds zone. Once in camp, send them outdoors to help relieve your nerves.

A Quartzsite area Frisbee dog specialist, Piney, volunteered herself and her Frisbee fetching Fido, Miss Dixie to act as test specialists for us. After a half hour of work, we determined that Miss Dix will need a bit more practice to adapt over to the Pocket Disc. Maybe it's the smell of the wool, but granted, Dixie was plenty happy to chase after (and catch) the marvelous toy, she was unwilling to bring it back for a further toss-out, preferring instead to abscond with the woolly creation and head under the nearest travel trailer with it. To be sure, Pocket Disc is sure to be a whole lot easier on canine teeth than the standard plastic flying disc--just be prepared to spend a little time making the transition. Maybe it's like switching from whole milk to non-fat.

The lightweight Pocket Disc is completely compactable, making it a natural for stuffing it into a daybag when taking off on a sight-seeing adventure. It comes with some rather "different" suggestions on games to be played, including this writer's favorite: Ceiling Fan 500. Say the directions, "Spread out around the room, toss a Phd (Pocket Disc) into the spinning fan and hope it zings your way so you can snag it before your opponent does." Loosely translated: Toss it in the operating ceiling fan and see how fast you can run away from your yelling "better half"!

Get your own Pocket Disc from Phd Productions or at one of over 500 specialty toy or outdoor retailers. The Classic Edition will set you back $9.99, or the heavier Sports Edition runs $14.99. Get more information or buy your own at www.pocketdisc.com. And remember, these discs are hand crocheted in Guatemala, helping local mothers send their kids to school.

Maxxair's back--with more lid stability

If you've ever tried the Maxxair vent system, you probably love it in a lot of ways. Maxxair provides a powered roof vent system, that definitely moves a high volume of air through your rig without chewing up a lot of battery power. The fancier systems even provide thermostatic control, and even rain detectors to shut off and close your roof vent at the first hint of precipitation.

We've got Maxxair systems in two of our rigs, and we find them great--to a degree. When the wind blows, those old vent lids start to rattle, and stomachs begin to tie up in knots, wondering if the whole shebang is going to cut loose and head for Kansas. The same emotional gripping occurs when you roll down the highway with the roof vent open: That persistent flapping just jars the nerves, and soon, you'll be shutting the vent lid out of a sense of self-preservation.

Well Maxxair is working on a solution for those of us without nerves of steel: The new generation of MaxxFan arrives on scene with two (not one) lifting arms to eliminate those nasty fluttering noises, and hopefully eliminate the butterflies from your road trip stomach. It also comes with a shiny 10 speed control, giving you far more choices in how fast to vent in (or exhaust out) than we've got on our old school three speed models. All this and promised ease of installation in a standard 14 x 14 inch roof openings.

We're not about to say these are inexpensive: The standard model, the 4000K (without the self-closing when it rains setup) runs $230 suggested retail; add on the automatic rain sensor (and "smoke colored" lid) for an additional seventy bucks by getting model 4500K. Visit www.maxxair.com for more information. Sorry, no field test on this model--we'll let you know if we can lay our hands on one.

ATV wheel add-ons add traction, flotation

Seems like many RV folk are also ATV folk. Once you get your RV out to the boonies, there's nothing quite as fun as being able to cruise around in the back country. Here's an aftermarket add-on that says it will not only improve your off-road traction, it could save your neck if you wind up in water.

The J-Wheel product bolts up to your ATV's existing 23 to 26 inch wheels, giving your wheels a wider profile, adding to traction and stability. Built out of a material similar to what plastic auto bumpers are made of. Containing marine-grade foam, a set of four J-Wheelz will add 310 pounds of floatation ability to your rig. A company spokesman tells us this is enough to float many ATVs currently used in the US. "It won't turn your ATV into a Jetski," he says, "but it will keep you afloat." A particularly useful thing should you take your ATV out ice fishing and (perish the thought) the ice breaks away under your off-roader.

While the company is building up a network of retailers you can still order your J-Wheel set from the company direct on the Internet. A set of four of these fabulous floaters runs a suggested retail of $590. More information is available at j-wheelz.com.

Portable combination heater/stove for emergencies

When a heater or stove fails, life on a boat, in an RV, or at home when a winter storm knocks our your power, can get mighty uncomfortable. The HeatMate 5200 Portable Alcohol Heater from Contoure International provides a safe source of warmth that doubles as a stove. Conture also manufactures space saving products bot boat and RVs like cook tops, microwaves, and 12-volt LED lights.

As an addition to your emergency supplies, the HeatMate produces 5200 BTU of heat. When the lid of the compact and efficient heater is removed, HeatMate transforms into a cook top that is capable of boiling a quart of water in just nine minutes.

The non-pressurized canister system contains a nonflammable wick material that absorbs approximately 1-1/4 qts. of environmentally-friendly alcohol fuel. Even if turned completely upside down, its unique design prevents fuel from leaking.

Extremely reliable, the HeatMate canister system eliminates the hoses and valves of pressurized systems, as well as the tiresome pumping, priming and pre-heating. Alcohol fuel is easily extinguished with water.

Made of aluminum, the compact HeatMate measures just 11-3/4" H x 11-1/2" W, comes with a carrying strap, and weighs just 5 lbs. 3 oz. The suggested retail price of the HeatMate 5200 Portable Alcohol Heater retails for $169.95 but is available for less at Amazon.com.

Is Thetford's "Smart Drain" system for your RV?

A few months back, Thetford, the big name in RV chemicals, introduced a new sewer hose and fitting package they call "Smart Drain." At our request, the company sent us a copy for evaluation. Since then, we've put it through some tests to get a handle on whether you want to pop the mid-$60 street price many are charging for it.

What makes the Smart Drain smart? The hose is the central character in the play. It's a pretty tough, accordion style drain hose. Unlike most RV drain hoses, it's not a slinky wrapped in a few layers of vinyl. Forget the metal, it's got a polymer coil, covered with some thick, durable material. No wires, no rust outs, and theoretically no pin-holes, the bane of most RV hoses. The company suggests it's nearly crush-proof. We got Rocky, our special assistant, to stand on the hose, then step off. Rocky, way back when, was a middle weight boxer, and he's no slouch for size today. Sure enough, step-on, step-off, the hose just pops right back. You could drive over this to test it to be even more sure.

On the "receiving" end of the hose, Thetford has added a "SureLock" fitting--not to be confused with Detective Holmes. Instead of bayonet-style twisting, the fitting presses up over a corresponding fitting (which the user installs and leaves on his RV), two plastic tabs are flipped into place, locking the hose on your RV until you flip them back. We yanked hard on the configuration, and the hose stayed tight, and in place. What we did find however, was one fly in the ointment. If the SmartLock fitting is not put on straight and flush to the receiver end, the lock tabs will lock the hose in place, true, but you can get leakage. This isn't probably a big deal for the average RVer, but if you're crawling under a truck camper with a straight down discharge port, it can be a bit of a hassle to see it clearly.

Other fittings included in the kit are a "stepped" sewer fitting, that the company says fits virtually any RV park, campground, or sewer dump station receiver. It has a handy handle that allows you to quickly pop the fitting out of the ground without a lot of mess. We don't do much campground sitting, but can easily see the advantages. There's also a 90 degree angle adapter, which we haven't used, but it's of durable construction.

In place of a standard "termination cap" to go over the RV port when the hose isn't connected is a rubber end cap. This will not only fit the RV valve adapter (that we left on the rig), but it will close off any of the other fittings in the system. At first I thought we'd hate the little cap deal, as it was hard to get on the adapter, and at our first stop we found it blowing in the breeze, having come loose. After a couple of uses though, it fit fine.

The hose is a handy devil, too. Compressed, it takes up just 5' of our hose-in-the-bumper compartment, but fully extended runs out to 15 feet. All in all, it seems like a pretty nice system. The price tag seems steep at the outset, but on reflection, if you hate fussing with flimsy vinyl coated hoses and their associated leaks, it may well be worth the investment.