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.

Where's a Cup Holder When You Need It?

While automotive manufacturers seem to have finally made the leap into the 20th century, not all RV builders have done the same. Here's a product that's thrown at us as not just a "thing," but a "lifestyle." For us, "life" includes food and drink.

Where's that RV cup holder when you need it?

Ben Thompson of Beckson Manufacturing thinks he has the answer: He'd like you to check out Beckson's powder coated aluminum cup holders. These little guys have an inside diameter of 3 5/8" (to accommodate those big plastic bottles) and have a gripping 3 5/16" depth. And they come in an amazing variety of colors: "Sparkling black, blue, red, clear or gold."

But where do you put the things once you have them? Beckson suggests they can be just settled down where you're sitting, or if you're motorhoming down the highway, glued into place on a handy location, say on the dashboard (just out of reach of the dog).

With a list price of $19.95 each, you can order them by giving Ben Thompson a call at Beckson. The number is (203) 333-1412.

RVers can haul more stuff with this fold-up tote box

You invite some friends to ride along to the beach in your towed vehicle. Oops, you don't have enough room for all the stuff you need to take along plus the extra passengers. Does your towed vehicle have a receiver hitch? If so, you may be interested in this fold away tote box. It opens up into a full fledged storage box that rides behind your rear bumper. The box is actually a canvas bag with waterproof lining. The bag is held up by a skeleton of aluminum pipes with copper fittings. Fill it up with goodies then zip it shut. Strap the cover in place and away you go. When you're finished it folds away into a small package that will easily fit in the trunk. I saw this unit at Costco for $199.99. This portabale storage solution is meant for temporary use but might work well with your RV lifestyle. Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing