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Many people buy motor-homes and then after driving them for a while, decide they'd like more power for accelerating onto highways, passing and climbing long grades. This is particularly true [...]

Let's face it, sifting around the motorhome enjoying the outdoors and talking with friends and family is one of the best parts of camping, but in order to maximize your [...]

If your motorhome is more than a few years old or is constantly exposed to strong sunlight, chances are good that your plastic headlight lenses have suffered from UV damage. [...]

EVER BEEN WALKING THROUGH A CAMPGROUND AND SEEN AN RV seemingly covered with bright-and-shiny solar panels? 'Wow,' you say. 'I wonder if all that high-tech gadgetry is really worth the [...]

Connecting to the Internet has become an increasingly popular pastime among motorhome owners. It is estimated that more than 20 percent of them log on to the 'Net while traveling [...]

EXPLORING NEW SURROUNDINGS IS WHAT MAKES LIFE ON THE ROAD SO PLEASURABLE. A WALK THROUGH THE RV PARK, CAMPGROUND, OR WHEREVER WE HAVE SET THE JACKS DOWN, BRINGS NEW ENERGY. [...]

Lead-acid batteries, first used in 1859 to power railroad-car lights, have undergone continual engineering advancements since then. One thing that hasn't changed, however, is the basic chemical reaction that produces [...]

Without a of the nicest things about motorhome travel is the ever-changing scenery, it provides. We tend to spend plenty off time admiring this flowing diorama, so it's only natural [...]

For the traveling RVer, obtaining good water can be a never-ending challenge. Water quality varies considerably in different parts of the country, and a sip that tastes perfectly fine to [...]

Electronic gadgets are making their way into motorhomes in ever greater numbers, though most high-tech additions still tend to be piecemeal efforts. SilverLeaf Electronics, however, has a product line that [...]

While a few motorhome owners have experienced the delight of the new variable-speed demand pumps which virtually eliminate that annoying rapid-cycling of the freshwater demand pump ('Keeping the Pressure On,' [...]

Nowadays, it's hard to imagine buying an upscale car without an optional Global Positioning System (GPS). In fact, some vehicles even offer it as standard equipment. But motorhomes have been [...]

To those outside the recreational vehicle lifestyle, the terms RV and TV might be mutually exclusive. After all, RVs are all about the great outdoors, and shedding the trappings of [...]

When motorhomes were just snowbird abodes in the sunny South, or family-escape vehicles for two-week vacations in midsummer, energy efficiency was not a key consideration. Today, the increasing number of [...]

No doubt about it, motorhome owners love creature comforts. When we camp, not only do we enjoy bringing along many of the same portable entertainment, communication and computer devices found [...]

Over the years, we've noticed that certain readers' questions keep popping up again and again, in similar forms. Some of them come from seasoned motorhome owners; others come from 'newbies' [...]

Idea Development Co. 83 Idea Pl, Sequim, WA 98382 (360)683-3000, (800)850-6480, FAX (360)683-8575, www.happyidea.com R. Wayne Uht, g.m. IMI/Ad Shade/Sunaire 8322 A Artesia Blvd, Buena Park, CA 90621 (714)739-1188, (888)4SUNOUT, [...]

Q-PC Inc. 290 Cochran Road, PO Box 6006, Huntsville, AL 35824 (256)461-7200, (800)233-0839, FAX (256)461-7993 www.Q-PC.com info@qpc.com Derrick Copeland, c.e.o., Erik Grigorian, c.o.o. QMP Inc. 52687 Stephen Pl, Elkhart, IN [...]

Adhesives Accumetric LLC (270)769-3385, (800)928-2677 Alex Milne Associates Ltd. (416)742-4911, (800)563-5947 All-Rite (831)636-9566, (800)642-9988 Alpha Systems Inc. (574)295-5206, (800)462-4698 Associated Brokers & Consultants Inc. (760)742-4616, (213)500-3850 Bonded Logic Inc. (480)461-5235, [...]

AAA RV Appliance Parts AAA Appliance Service Inc. 1824 Woolley Way, Sacramento, CA 95815-3434 (916)929-9777, (800)877-4111, FAX (916)929-4928 www.aaarvappl.com aaarv@aotcom L. William Lawrence, pres., Darlene E. Lawrence, secy., tres. AAA [...]

Dahon California Inc. 833 Meridian St, Duarte, CA 91010 (626)305-5264, FAX (626)305-9153 info@dahon.com www.dahon.com Danair Inc. 1150 Eacequia Ave, PO Box 3898, Visalia CA 93278-3898 (559)734-1961, (800)232.6247, FAX (800)324-1086 info@danairinc.com [...]

A & J Vans Inc. 333 W Washington St, PO Box 340, Valders, WI 54245-0340 (920)775-9333, FAX (920)775-4104 John Kupsh, pres. ABC Bus Companies Inc. 1506 30th St NW, Faribault, [...]

A & A Enterprises Inc. 23-25 Lake Shore Dr E, PO Box 284, Dunkirk, NY 14048-0284 (716)366-0002, (716)366-0073, (800)342-0751, FAX (716)672-5535 Pauline C. Avny, pres., Sam Avny, v.p. Absolute Plastics [...]

Clark Nary of Folsom, California, cautiously backs up his big Rexhall Aerbus and its attached trailer to an unused railroad spur: The motorhome and trailer are a baseball pitch in [...]

With lake- and ocean-side camp- grounds being such popular destinations, rare is the motorhome owner who hasn't regretted having no boat on the trip. Unfortunately, since many folks already tow [...]

Tow bars are becoming more sophisticated each new model year. Using aerospace materials, the bars are getting lighter, while providing more features than ever. Many popular designs incorporate a mount [...]

The kitchen is one of the most heavily used spaces in a motorhome. As such, it's usually the first area to start showing signs of wear and tear, and the [...]

The metallocene polyolefin material called RV2000 emerges as the primary standard material for recreational vehicle (RV) roofing, displacing the ethylene propylene diene monomer. The roofing material, exclusively distributed by Patrick Industries Inc, is similar to the substance used in commercial buildings and landfills. Thermoplastic olefin is also an RV roofing material although it takes longer to install than plastic materials. Other roofing materials used in RVs are fiberglass and aluminum., NEW MATERIALS COULD DRAMATICALLY INFLUENCE THIS SECTOR As a new millennium approaches, a new wave of plasticlike materials is emerging that could become the 'gold standard' of roofing for mainstream [...]

Tips on how to self-maintain and repair recreational vehicle (RV) toilets are presented. Problem of jammed or partly open slide toilets can be remedied by cleaning the valve seal with a Q-tip-type probe. If moisture appears on the toilet's base, RV owners should just tighten the base bolts., Unsanitary maladies can be kept at bay with simple maintenance and repair Recreational vehicles provide several creature comforts. One of the more important comfort systems of everyday living, as my [...]

Global positioning system receivers combined with free outer-space signals from the Dept of Defense serve as directional tools for recreational vehicle owners. These devices are equipped with a database containing highways, freeways, and names of cities and point of interests., A large selection of global positioning system (GPS) receivers makes getting lost a thing of the past Getting lost will be hard to do thanks to the Department of Defense [...]

Sport utility vehicles contribute to the increasing demand for recreational vehicle (RV) and motorhome trailers. The demand for the trailers makes manufacturers of RVs such as Alfa Leisure, Bigfoot Industries and Curtis Industries improve their products offered to travel enthusiasts., Rigs designed to carry 'adult toys' while providing a high level of creature comforts are gaining in popularity TECHNICAL Action-oriented, multifunctional and capable of accepting heavy-duty use, sport-utility trailers and [...]

Torque: it's a word that you see all over the place, but in vehicle terms it has more than one meaning. Commonly the word torque is used when discussing engine [...]

Care must be taken in selecting the proper hitch to fit a travel trailer and its tow vehicle. Different classes of hitches, various hitch hardware and unconventional hitch designs are presented to ensure easier and safer towing., Choosing the right 'connection' can make towing safer and easier TECHNICAL The process of selecting a conventional travel trailer and the proper tow vehicle that meet your needs is fraught [...]

Upgrading a manufacturer-installed recreational vehicle (RV) audio system is easy and cost effective. RV owners can buy a high quality car stereo and install it themselves. Installing an audio system involves physically mounting the unit and connecting the power, speakers and the antenna., DO-IT-YOURSELF Many RVs' audio systems have large, impressive-looking faceplates and are meant to look like 120-volt AC home stereos. However, their sound quality may be poor because their internal circuitry [...]

The process of converting a recreational vehicle's airconditioning system to accommodate the use of environmentally friendly R-134a refrigerant is described. However, it is likely that the retrofitted system will be less effective than the original system that utilizes freon., Retrofitting a system to use environmentally-friendly R-134a refrigerant may be easier and cheaper than the experts first believed TECHNICAL Several years ago a group of scientists determined that chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) [...]

The increase in size of recreational vehicle (RV) interiors prompted RV furniture manufacturers to come up with larger, more residential, luxurious and comfortable furnishings. Quality and durability has also improved as well as increased storage and multifunctional elegance. Recliners and sophisticated sectionals with built-in incliners are gaining popularity, along with the use of pine and dark wood to achieve the rustic look. The integrated seat and belt system is also being developed to provide safety to the driver and passengers., AS RV INTERIORS INCREASE IN SIZE AND LUXURY, SUPPLIERS ARE PROMPTED TO MAKE With the advent of widebody motorhomes and travel trailers that boast up to three slideout rooms, RV [...]

The market for towing equipment and hitches has grown bigger due to the increased manufacturing of RV vehicles. In 1996 over 170,000 trailers were produced in North America while 50,000 motor homes and 11,000 truck campers were manufactured. This provides a profit opportunity for towing equipment and accessories manufacturers. Some manufacturers of fifth-wheel towing hitches are Eaz-Lift Spring Corp., Draw-Tite, PullRite Trailer Towing Systems, RBW Industries Inc. and Reese Products., Last year more than 170,000 travel trailers, fifth-wheels and folding trailers were manufactured in North America. Combine this with the production of 50,000 new motorized RVs and 11,000 truck campers [...]

An alphabetical listing of American and Canadian recreational vehicle parts and accessories distributors and wholesalers is presented. Some of the companies included are A&A Enterprises Inc., AAA RV Appliance Part, AAA Trailer Supply, Aalco Sales, Acorn Products, Action Transit Inc., Adnik Recreational Products Div., Advanced Mktg. & Distributors Inc. and Advance Products.

Tow and recreational vehicles can negotiate mountainous terrains better by equipping them with gear splitters. Gear splitters offer quicker acceleration, better downhill braking, smoother engine operation, more powerful hill-climbing and possibly improved fuel economy., If you've ever driven your tow vehicle or motorhome through mountainous terrain, there have probably been at least a few times when you found yourself wishing for an extra transmission [...]

Fifth-wheel trailer owners can choose from a variety of fifth-wheel hitches for attaching their trailers to their tow vehicles. Some hitches merely offer a safe connection but others provide other features such as side to side pivot and shock-absorbing suspension., RVers can choose from a wide variety of fiver hitches for many different applications FEATURE If you're going to tow a fifth-wheel trailer, you will need a fifth-wheel hitch, and [...]

Many recreational vehicle enthusiasts use deep-cycle 6-volt batteries for their external power requirements. However, such batteries are difficult to store because of their bulk. Several tips on how to construct a battery case out of an old ice chest are presented., An ice chest makes an ideal container for high-capacity, odd-size batteries DO-IT-YOURSELF One hundred years ago when the pioneers were loading their Conestoga wagons, they didn't have to worry about [...]

Surge suppressors protect recreational vehicle appliances from electrical transient by lowering the voltage of power lines in integrated circuits to a safer level. The devices are installed at electrical outlets and can protect both AC and DC appliances., PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y., May 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Nytest Environmental Inc. (Nasdaq: NYTS), a leader in providing specialized analytical services for the accurate measurement of hazardous wastes, has reported results for [...]

Propane is a safe fuel for RV equipment as long as it is handled with care. Safety tips for checking propane levels, filling containers, checking for leaks, maintaining appliances and using detectors and regulators are presented., PROPANE, OR LIQUEFIED-PETROLEUM gas (LP-gas), is a 'natural' fuel for RVs. Because of its portability and resistance to temperature extremes, LP-gas has been used in RVs since the early years. [...]

Absorption refrigerators used in recreational vehicles need special attention when used in very hot weather. Refrigerators should be started several hours before a trip and should be defrosted on a regular basis. The door should not be opened longer than necessary., THE ULTIMATE performance test for the RV absorption refrigerator occurs when ambient temperatures are very high. Absorption refrigerators are silent, can withstand the rigors of highway travel and use far [...]

A recreational vehicle's battery will be affected by ambient temperature and other factors. Usage patterns and and recharging methods will affect the life of the battery. Tips on purchasing a battery and maintaining it are given., Inadequate battery reserve power has long been the Achilles, heel of RVers who like to get away from the usual trappings of civilization, including hookups. While an AC generator can [...]

Power inverters supply an efficient and quiet source of 120-volt power and can make operating RV appliances like microwave ovens convenient when no hookups are available. Various models available and their features are described, and a list of sources is included., Rare is the RV owner who has not wished at some time for a quiet, dependable source of 120-volt AC power while parked away from hookups. When you're camped with [...]