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RV Gadgets & Goodies We like to share our impressions of neat RV gadgets and accessories with our readers. Information on the items described here are not paid advertisements, but rather things we use ourselves and have personal knowledge of. RVer's Notebook
iPod Classic
Bose SoundDock
Firepliers
Verizon Air Card
PressurePro Tire Monitoring System
Mad Maps
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For
keeping track of your traveling, camping, and maintenance expenses, there
is no better product than RVer's Notebook. This easy to use software
package supports Class A, B, and C motorhomes, fifth wheels and travel
trailers. Features include a database of over 200 tire specifications by
manufacturer, and calculates the correct tire pressure based on axle
weight and tire load rating; an easy method to record the campgrounds you
visit and your ratings of them, with support for GPS units; keeps details
of your RV service and maintenance records, with costs are automatically
added to the expense record for one time entry; includes an address book
top help you keep in contact with the friends you meet on the road, and
much, much more. Every RVer needs a copy of RVer’s Notebook. Cost is
$39.95, shipping included.
Our
80 gig iPod classic produces unbelievable quality sound with the standard
ear buds that come supplied, and will hold a lifetime of music. I have
over 7,000 songs loaded onto the iPod, and have used only 20 gig of the
available capacity. Now the huge space under our bed that held our
extensive CD library is empty, and all of that music is contained in the
tiny iPod, which measures just 2.5 inches wide, 4 inches high, and maybe
¼ inch thick! 
The
iPod Classic is a fantastic personal entertainment device, for on the go
or just relaxing around the RV. But when
For many
people, campfires are an essential part of their camping experience. A
while back a company called CampCentral sent me a nifty product to
evaluate. Called Firepliers, they are a set of heavy duty tongs perfect
for reaching into a fire to move that stubborn piece of wood into position
without burning your hands. Measuring 30 inches long, and capable of
moving wood over a foot thick, these are a handy item to have around the
campsite. Check out their website at 
For
years we used a tripod mounted HughesNet satellite dish to access the
internet. The system served its purpose well, but took up a lot of room,
and we never deployed it when just making a quick overnight stop. In the
fall of 2007 we replaced it with a Verizon USB720 air card, and have never
looked back. The air card, which measures about 4 inches long, 2 inches
wide and an inch thick, can be used almost anywhere we can pick up a
cellular phone signal. Speeds are awesome, often much faster than we had
with the dish, and we can even get online while cruising down the highway!
Depending on the plan being offered at signup, many times the air card is
free with a two year contract.
No
RV should be without a tire pressure monitoring system, and the
PressurePro is our system of choice. The PressurePro consists of a monitor
measuring about 7 inches wide by 3 inches high and half an inch thick, and
tire monitoring sensors that screw onto our tire valve stems in place of
the standard valve caps. Now instead of having to check my tire pressures
manually with a gauge, I can scroll through every tire on our bus and van
and get an accurate reading right from the driver’s seat! While on the
road, the system will alert us to low pressure and identify which tire is
low, or do the same with high pressure, helping us identify and deal with
problems before they become catastrophes. 
I got my first Mad Maps
to help plan motorcycle trips, but quickly learned that they are perfect
for RVers too! Each map provides details of road trip adventures to help
you plan a cross country trek or just a fun day trip from the campground.
Different map packages include Scenic Road Trips, the 