Camping In Style! (36-4)
Our editors pick the top accessories for the ultimate
campsite.
By Norm Rosen |
There's
nothing like the thrill of arriving at a new campsite after
a long journey, filled with the anticipation of great discoveries
just over the horizon, and memories waiting to be created.
The key to a really worthwhile family vacation lies within your
grasp - if you have planned well, and packed all of the necessities
for a smooth RV trip, you will be able to relax and enjoy the
experience to the fullest - forget a few essential elements
of campground gear, and your valuable time will be spent chasing
the details that should have been addressed before your departure.
Campground accessories can be grouped into several categories
- our Road Test Teams suggest three main classifications - RV
gear; comfort and convenience; and sports and entertainment.
RV Gear
 When
planning your RV adventure, it is essential to consider all
of the RV systems, and the various supplies and components that
are required for basic operation. You would naturally pack the
required hoses and electrical cables, but what would you do
if your campground destination uses a different sewer hose connection
from your standard model? Carrying a Blueline Quick Connect
Sewer Kit from Pres-to-Fit couplings solves the problem at very
moderate cost. The five-piece kit contains: one Universal Elbow,
one Hose Adapter, one Ultimate Sewer Hose (10") and two
Sewer Seals. The Universal Elbow securely fits most park sewer
openings and the Hose Adapter has four bayonet hooks and an
"X-ring" seal for a leak-free connection to most waste-valve
outlets. The Ultimate Sewer Hose has Pushover Quick Connectors
installed for a simple, "push-on" connection without
the need for clamps. Sewer Seals create a secure, air-tight
seal with hoses and fittings, eliminating unwanted odor and
drainage. For more information on the Blueline Quick Connect
Sewer Kit visit the website at www.prestofit.com.
Weather Warning
 Many
Canadians travel to areas where weather may be more severe and
unpredictable than in their home territory. High winds demand
awning tie-downs with substantial ground anchors, and if you
can get advance warning of a storm, you can do your best to
avoid damage to your rig - a weather radio is the ideal solution
- inexpensive, and available throughout North America. Your
warning may never sound north of the border, but set up camp
in "Tornado Alley" and you'll understand why no RV
should be without this technology.
To understand how a weather radio can be a tremendous help visit
the National Weather Service website of the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration at www.nws.noaa.gov.
Weather radios are available in many configurations, and can
often be found at very reasonable prices. The Sony model shown
here has an MSRP of under $40 US.
Electrifying Accessories
 Need
an extra six feet of electrical cable to reach the campsite
utility post? Better have the appropriate gauge wire, or you'll
be tripping circuit breakers as far as the eye can see. While
you are at it, better carry the adapters that let you plug into
the system - RV dealers refer to these devices as "dog
bones" because they have two adapters joined by a foot
of heavy gauge wire. The female coupling mates with the electrical
hookup cable from the RV, the other end has either a standard
220 plug, or a grounded 110 volt plug - looking for the best
adapter to carry in the RV - don't debate the subject - spend
the few dollars and carry one of each type. Some adapters, like
the Camco model shown here, have locking plugs and a handle
that makes connection as easy as 1-2-3.
Don't Get Hosed!
 When
you attach your water supply hose to the campground system,
can you be sure that the pressure will be less than 40 psi.
Answer YES! If you carry the "Wally Water Mate" from
Marshall Brass, a brilliant device that can save your RV plumbing
system from turning the trailer into the campground's newest
indoor swimming pool. It is very important to note that the
Marshall Brass product is made in America, and contains no lead
or tin - unlike some of the import products - these metals can
leach into your water supply, presenting health and other concerns
- it may seem trivial, but in this case, saving a few dollars
may be a very unwise decision - go for the brand name.
Park Like a Pro
 If
there is one thing you want to do when arriving at a campground,
it's make a good impression - for the experienced RV driver
that begins with the "perfect park". Don't let your
new neighbours have a chance to mumble "fancy rig, lousy
driver" because it took six attempts to back into your
campsite!
There are several secrets to backing up an RV. If you are towing
a trailer, remember that if you put your hand at the "six
o'clock" position on the steering wheel, when you move
your hand to the right, the trailer will steer to the right
- it's the opposite direction of movement from your normal "12
o'clock" hand position.
You should also adjust your side mirrors to be able to see down
the driver's side of the RV. When you back up, place two or
three guideposts about two feet away from where you want your
rig to be positioned - they could be brightly coloured objects,
or flashlights, if you are daring enough to back into a campsite
in the dark. As you slowly back into the spot, you will see
your guideposts in the side mirror, and it helps to judge your
position on the campsite pad.
One of the best ways to achieve the "perfect park"
is to install a rear vision monitor system. These closed circuit
TV cameras and compact LCD screens let you see exactly where
the rear of your RV is going, and you can tell immediately if
you are too close to an obstruction. Properly adjusted, the
rear view monitor system is easier to work with than a rear
view mirror in a van or sport ute - and the costs have come
down so much in the past few years that there is no reason to
deprive yourself of this equipment. You'll love the additional
sense of confidence that the rear view monitor gives you while
you cruise along the highway - you'll be able to see what's
immediately behind you - and that's a safety factor that makes
the monitor system worth its weight in gold.
Any of the rear view monitor systems can be installed on a range
of RV's - most people assume that they are intended only for
motorhomes - but that's not the case - all you have to do is
create a coupling in the wire connection between the tow vehicle
and the trailer, and there is no reason why you can't have a
rear vision monitor system on your fifth wheel or travel trailer.
There are many rear vision systems on the market today, and
they essentially consist of a closed-circuit TV camera, and
an LCD monitor. Wiring and installation are simple, and can
be considered a do-it-yourself project, or your local RV dealer
can help you out for a reasonable fee.
Begin with the selection of a suitable camera, match it with
an LCD panel that can be mounted on your dash or on the sun
visor, and follow the manufacturer's installation recommendations.
Be sure to apply suitable sealant where the camera mount and
wiring pass through the outer skin of the RV.
Here's an example of an affordable rear vision monitor system,
from 3D Electronics - they offer wired camera starting from
$125, and wireless camera and LCD monitor system combos ¨C including
this wireless system, from just $329. For more information contact
3D electronics at www.rvgadgets.ca.
Comfort and Convenience
 Sooner
or later, your children will declare that they "want their
privacy" and they've outgrown the bunk beds in the RV.
Here's a great way to expand your camping accommodations, and
keep the family together - it's a Sportz SUV 81000 tent, from
Napier Enterprises of St. Catherines, ON. This ingenious tent
is designed to "dock" with your van, sport ute, or
pickup truck cap, providing the shelter of the vehicle's interior
cargo area, adjoining a high quality tent that is very comfortable
for two, and large enough to sleep four to five people. The
removable sleeve can be detached to turn the tent into a free-standing
model. A double coated polyethelyne floor with rip stop technology,
and tent fabric featuring high quality polyester with Drytex
titanium and 1200mm of water protection, assure long-term durability.
Retail list for the Sportz SUV 81000 is just $279.
Take your RV adventures to the next level by parking the trailer,
and heading for the backcountry to spend some time in the Sportz
tent, and you'll discover the full spectrum of the camping experience.
For more information contact Napier Enterprises at (905) 935-0427
or visit the website at www.napierenterprises.com.
Power to Go!
 The
availability of a portable generator is a great asset for wilderness
campers, and one of the quietest models on the market comes
from Yamaha. The EF 1000is produces 1000 watts of clean power,
and is whisper quiet at just 47 dBA. Not much larger than a
small suitcase, and weighing just 27 pounds, this is an entry-level
generator with a high performance pedigree.
RV'ers using portable generators should take note that the generator
must always stay outside of the RV, and care should be taken
as to the direction of the exhaust. As with any gasoline powered
equipment, transport regulations apply to where you store the
generator, and where you keep the fuel - use only an approved
fuel container, and always try to avoid spillage.
For more information on Yamaha generators, visit the website
at www.yamaha.ca.
Sports and Entertainment
 If
you have a satellite dish, or an internet hookup at your campsite,
you can tap into your home cable TV system and watch your favourite
shows from anywhere in North America (or the world, for that
matter). The key is one of the most intriguing gizmos that we've
seen in a long time - the Slingbox - from RVGadgets.com. This
device connects your home ethernet to your home cable TV setup,
and creates a website where you (and only you) can view anything
on your home system - over the internet! If you have security
cameras, their images can be displayed on your laptop regardless
of where you travel - if your kids want to show you a videotape
of your grandchildren, just have them set up the tape in your
VCR - you can control the components in your home entertainment
system and view the action on your computer screen from any
internet accessible site. Slingbox is compatible with TiVo's
DVR, Comcast's Motorola DVR, Replay TV, Ultimate TV, DISH, DirecTV,
and more. Price range for this internet magic is just $199.
For more information check the website at http://www.rvgadgets.ca.
On The Level
 Depending
on the type of campsite you select, you may have to level and
stabilize your RV to a greater degree than you might expect
- the best way is to use the Tri-Lynx leveling system - a series
of plastic grates that interlock and provide a solid foundation
for your RV tires and stabilizing jacks. The new Tri-lynx Stop
N' Chock is ideal for a number of purposes - it keeps the vehicle
more stable, and it provides a "stop" to help you
determine when you have parked the trailer in the optimum position
on the levelers. For more information check out the website
at www.lynxlevelers.com.
It is important to be able to level your RV on the campsite
so that the refrigerator keeps its cool and to prevent your
chassis from twisting. There is no need to carry large ramps
made of 2x6 wood to place under the wheels or hydraulic levelers
to keep them from sinking into the soft ground at some campsites.
We like the way the Lynx levelers support the full footprint
of the tire. Since they are made of a plastic material, they
are easily cleaned for storage in the travel carrying case provided.
A good idea is to park your RV on level ground so that the refrigerator
is level. On our motorhome we use one crosswise on the dash,
and the other front to back on the wall beside the driver. On
a trailer, place these levels on the outside wall near your
jack system. One side to side and the other front to back. Remember
that you will need to support both the inside and outside tires
of a dual wheel motorhome at times.
Trailer Emulator
 How
many times have you spent hours tracing a problem in the RV
wiring system - here's a solution - it's the Tekonsha 7-Way
Trailer Emulator, designed to verify the installation and set-up
of a brake control when a trailer is not readily available.
The secret to success of the Brake control set-up is accomplished
by a built-in load module that simulates electric magnet brakes
on a trailer. The emulator will also check electrical continuity
of all circuits in the 7-Way blade style connector, in other
words, all of your wiring enigmas solved through the use of
one very clever gadget. For more information, consult your RV
dealer, or visit the website at http://www.tekonsha.com/tbsa7waytrailerem.html.
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