Full-time RVers think differently than most consumers. We conserve space, water, electricity, propane, and find more ways to get the most versatile use out of every product that we can. It becomes habit. So, out of habit I did a little online shopping to see what kinds of products looked most useful to RVers, and came up with a few interesting choices.
Need to hitch up to a trailer but don’t have a spotter? No problem. The Hitch Helper Mirror is an adjustable mirror on a pole that secures to your trailer tongue with a strong magnet. The mirror angle and height are adjustable to give you a clear view of your hitch as you back up and align the ball with the trailer tongue.
Solo and women RVers should love this product, even if you have a spotter.
VerizonWireless is implementing 4G service around the nation, starting with airports and major cities. Verizon advertises that by the end of 2013 they expect to have nationwide 4G coverage. Verizon’s 4G service comes with 10G of monthly data transmission, twice that of the 3G service. Verizon claims that 4G is about 10 times the speed of 3G. The 4G devices can also receive service at 3G speeds, so you will simply experience slower transmission speeds if you are out of a 4G area. 4G devices let you access Internet Wi-Fi style from a USB connector or a MiFi™ hub.
Although the USB connector is intended for a single user, my husband and I managed to configure our two Macs into a network and set up so that both of us were able to get on the Internet using a 3G USB connector plugged into my computer. I’m guessing it could be done with a 4G USB connector, too.
Both of the 4G USB connectors are Windows and Mac compatible. They plug into the USB port of your computer and load the software. Once you install the software and activate your service, you’re ready to connect to the Internet.
Wi-Fi USB 4G Connectors Offered by VerizonWireless:
LG VL600 specifications
- 3.88 x1.48x0.58; 1.76 oz
- QC MSM6800A and LG L2000 chipset
- Wi-Fi: 700MHz LTE CDMA; CDMA 1xEV–DO Rev. A/Rev. 0: 800/1900 MHz
- OS: Windows XP/Vista/7; Mac OS
PANTECH UML290 specifications
- 3.5x1.4x0.6", 8 oz
- Qualcomm MDM9600 chipset
- Wi-Fi: 700MHz LTE CDMA; CDMA 1xEV–DO Rev. A/Rev. 0: 800/1900 MHz
- OS: Windows XP/Vista/7; Mac OS
MiFi™ Hubs to be Offered by VerizonWireless:
Verizon will soon offer two MiFi™ hubs. Each can serve up to 5 Windows and Mac compatible devices.
Verizon 4G MiFi® 4510L specifications
- 3.74” x 2.36” x 0.53”, 3.0 oz
- Chipset: JDJ9600
- Wi-Fi: 700 MHz LTE; 800/1900 MHZ CDMA
- Lithium-Ion 1530 mAh
- OS: Windows XP/Vista/7; Mac OS, Linux
- Up to 5 Wi-Fi devices
- LED indicator
- Comes with Pouch, USB cable, battery, wall charger
Samsung SCH-LC1 specifications
- 2.32” x 3.54” x o.46”; 2.7 oz
- Chipset: MDM9600
- Wi-Fi: 700 MHz LTE; 800/1900 MHZ CDMA
- Lithium-Ion 1500 mAh
- OS: Windows XP/Vista/7; Mac OS
- Up to 5 Wi-Fi devices
- LED indicator
- Comes with USB cable, battery, wall charger
Winegard Carryout™ Portable Satellite TV Antenna
The Winegard Carryout™ Automatic Portable Satellite TV Antenna is perfect for RVers who want TV while they travel. It runs off of 12V, plugs into a standard cigarette outlet and finds and switches between satellites automatically. It receives both standard and HD from Dish Network® and Bell TV, and standard from DIRECTV®. Touted as the most compact automatic portable satellite TV antenna on the market, it is 15.6” high with a 20” diameter.
Since you wouldn’t want to set this on the ground, there are several ways to mount the Carryout™. One is on your RV ladder. Another is on a tripod.
Tripod for Winegard Carryout™ Antenna
The Winegard Carryout™ Tripod is ideal for keeping your Carryout™ antenna off of muddy or wet ground, and away from insects or other crawling things. When assembled this weather resistant tripod looks like a small stool. You simply mount the Carryout™ on the plate with the locking bolt.
The leg heights are independently adjustable from 14.5” to 22”, so you can set up on slopes or other uneven surfaces. It even has an eyelet intended for a lock and chain for anti-theft protection. It can be disassembled easily for compact storage. It is also compatible with VuQube® portable satellite TV antennas
Have you ever wished your RV shower was roomier? Well, wishes do come true, then because the Extend-A-Shower by Stromberg Carlson Products, Inc. does exactly that. This flexible shower curtain rod enlarges showers by extending the space outward by several inches. Two sizes are available that fit showers 35” to 42” wide or 54” to 60” wide. When not in use, it simply pivots back into the shower.
It can also be used to hand wet laundry, beach towels and swimwear to dry.
The standard RV's central heating system uses propane (LPG). But that’s no longer your only choice. RVComfortSystems CheapHeat™ lets you flip a switch to change between gas and electric. This switch integrates with your heating systems thermostat and circuit board. The advantages of using CheapHeat™ include:
- Heating using the electricity provided by the RV park
- Running out of propane doesn’t leave you in the cold
- Eliminate the risk of monoxide poisoning from propane-fueled heaters
- No open flames
- The thermostat prevents the too hot/too cold cycling common to propane systems
- Eliminate need for portable electric heaters
- Four failsafe features that prevent overheating and power surges
- Works with 30 or 50 amp shore power
- And if the power goes out, just flip the switch back to propane and turn up the heat
You can learn more about CheapHeat™ and download a compatibility chart from RVComfortSystems’ FAQ page on their website.
This product is something like moist towelettes for bigger jobs, like whole body-sized jobs. Paper Shower comes packaged with a 9” x 12” moist towelette for washing, and a dry one for, well, drying off. This is a great idea for boondockers or RVers staying where there are no showers or water. One park lost its water when it’s well went dry due to a draught. Another had a broken pipe and had to shut water off to the park for repairs for most of two days. These would come in handy during times like that. For the love of your friends, keep some around.