Posted March 4, 2018
News, information and reviews of great gizmos and gadgets for RVers. Published online once a month by the editors of RVtravel.com. If you are not already subscribed, click here to sign up now.
Product Spotlight
By Chuck Woodbury
You’ve heard of the Venturi effect, and you likely know there are people who make their life’s work studying how wind and air currents work. Some of these people specialize in sewer vent systems. Aren’t you glad they do, so the rest of us don’t have to?
Some of these people came up with the 360 Siphon Roof Vent, designed to not only suck out odorous fumes from your sewer system (that’s tech talk for toilet) but also be easy to install, work forever, be affordable, and other good stuff.
I just so happen to own a 360 vent — it’s right up on my roof — and it’s one of the best investments I ever made. If RV manufacturers weren’t so cheap, they’d install these on the roof of every RV they build. And do you know what would happen if they did? Reports from RVers that their RVs smell like an outhouse would nearly disappear. I’ve had my 360 vent for about six years now, and since I installed it, the stink is gone. For me, the problem was worse when I was driving my motorhome on hot summer days, when the contents of ye ol’ sewer tank were perking hot.
Here’s what the manufacturer of the 360 Siphon claims, and from what I know, it’s all true:
1. ODOR FREE
By design, the 360 Siphon can only create an updraft (law of physics), and the possibility of odors and gases from the holding tanks entering the RV living space is totally eliminated.
2. ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY
Waste breakdown will occur 3 to 4 times faster and more completely because of the constant, oxygen-rich environment provided by the 360 Siphon. Caustic chemicals such as formaldehyde and perfumed coverups are no longer necessary.
3. A HEALTHIER LIVING ENVIRONMENT
Breathe easier when noxious fumes and gases are no longer allowed to enter the RV living space.
4. EASILY INSTALLED
The 360 Siphon can be refitted to any existing RV usually in less than 20 minutes by anyone who can use a screwdriver and a putty knife (to scrape off any old sealants). This permanent, one-time, maintenance-free application replaces the existing factory-installed vent caps.
5. AFFORDABLE
The 360 Siphon Roof Vent can be purchased for about $30 from Drainmaster or Amazon.com.
DID YOU MISS yesterday’s RVtravel.com NEWSLETTER? If so, read it here.
This RV water hose never kinks
This RV water-safe drinking hose self-straightens with a reflex mesh design to prevent kinking. Solid brass octagon female coupling ensures a tight no-leak connection. The highly rated hose is FDA approved with a limited lifetime warranty. Fed up with water hoses that are always kinking? This is the answer. Comes in various lengths. Learn more or order.
Shurhold’s SMC cleaner does it all
For many RV owners, time is a precious commodity – they’d rather be out enjoying the road than stuck in the driveway detailing their RV. Professional-grade SMC (Serious Multi-purpose Cleaner) from Shurhold Industries makes short work of a long list of cleaning chores. It’s a powerful degreaser and stain remover that contains no bleach, so it’s safe on a wide range of surfaces whether interior, exterior or in mechanical areas. Learn more.
Stop losing your hitch pin
RV Intelligence, a manufacturer of aftermarket products and accessories for recreational vehicles, is selling the Hitch PinLeash at select RV accessory retailers. The Hitch PinLeash is a strap designed to easily mount in hitching environments. It provides security against loss of 5/8-inch and 1/2-inch hitch pins and clips, as well as visual confirmation the pin is in place and secure. Read more.
Spiff up your campsite patio with a colorful patio mat
Not all RV campsite patios have a nice surface to walk on outside your door. Or maybe you’re tired of the same old green indoor/outdoor artificial grass rug. Well, it may be time for a change. Spiff up your outdoor living area with a new, colorful, easy-maintenance patio mat. Learn more.
Easy way to avoid damage from high voltage
Prime Products AC voltage line meter is the easiest, most inexpensive way to know if your RV’s voltage is safe. Just plug it into any power outlet. Gauge shows when power is too high or low, to help protect voltage-sensitive equipment such as air conditioners and computers. Red zone indicates voltage-sensitive appliances should be turned off to prevent damage. Learn more or order.
Let there be light without flipping a switch
This Starlights Smart Light can be used as an entryway light which can prevent accidental slips and falls. The 12-volt low-profile light can be mounted on any side of your RV. It automatically deactivates when daylight approaches. One neat thing about the light is that it can distinguish between small animals and people, to keep it from turning on when the neighbor’s cat walks by. Read more.
RV 12V cooler/warmer cup for road trips
No one likes a hot drink in the summer or a cold drink in the winter. The Urtheone Auto Electric Cup Cold/Hot Drink Holder is great for a road trip or long drive. Because of the fast heating and cooling function, you can enjoy a warm or cold drink in your RV or car in minutes. It’s very easy to operate – just plug it into your vehicle (DC12V) with the included power cord and move from cool to heat with just a punch of a button. Learn more.
RV Stabilizer Jack Pads help prevent jacks from sinking
You likely won’t always camp on a stable concrete pad – it could be on grass, dirt or asphalt that has softened in the hot summer sun. Camco’s Stabilizer Jack Pads are specifically designed for use with stack jacks, fifth wheel stabilizers, swing-down stabilizers and awning arms to keep them from sinking into soft ground. Read more.
Slide seal conditioner improves slide out function, prolongs life
Replacing your slide out seals is not a chore you would look forward to. You can help prevent early deterioration – and necessary replacement – of the seals by treating them with a seal conditioner. Thetford’s Premium RV Slide Out Rubber Seal Conditioner is formulated to prevent fading, cracking and deterioration on all types of rubber seals – slide out seals, window and door seals, tires and other rubber products. Learn more.
Best way to fill your batteries
Fill this container with distilled water, insert the nozzle into the cell of your battery, then push & hold. When the battery is at the proper level, the water will automatically stop. Then move to the next cell, etc. You won’t over- or under-fill your batteries this way, helping extend their lives. Learn more or order at Amazon.com.
Gizmos and Gadgets at RVtravel.com
For years, in each of our weekly issues of the RVtravel.com newsletter we’ve reviewed or told you about hundreds of useful, interesting or unusual gizmos and gadgets for your RV, or to enhance your RV travels. Click here to browse through all those products.
AND CHECK OUT OUR REVIEWS
OF COOL RV GADGETS
ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL
Keep your RVÂ from rocking and rolling
These sturdy steel Husky Stabilizing Scissor Jacks will keep your trailer or 5th wheel stable. The jacks come in a pair, each supporting 6,500 pounds with a lift of 24 inches. Can be welded on. Easy installation. 35 sq. inch base plate. Black powder coated. 2-year limited manufacturer warranty. Learn more or order.
Products you might need
for your RVÂ at Amazon.com
•RV parts and accessories
•RV hitches and tow products
•RV holding tank treatments
•RV books and directories
•Camco products
Or search at:
•Dyers RV Parts and Accessories
Graphite keeps your locks working
Keep your RV’s locks (and other locks, too) working the way they should. This product from AGS will keep them lubricated and working smoothly and will guard against sticking and dirt buildup. Also reduces wear and corrosion. This should be essential equipment on all RVs. Learn more or order.
Our favorite products for RVers at Amazon.com. Check ’em out.
Check out these RV accessories that were featured recently in the RV Travel Newsletter
• Solar lamp for your campsite or picnic table.
• Carefree extends living space on Starcraft toy haulers.
• KeySmart puts bulky keys into single fold-up device.
Eliminate holding tank odors!
Eliminate disgusting tank odors for less than $1 per treatment with formaldehyde-free Unique RV Digest-It. Unique’s highly concentrated, non-toxic blend of tank cleaning microbes maintains clean sensors, eliminates odors, and liquefies the solids in your tank, ensuring no backups. All without harsh chemicals or dangerous ingredients. Try it once and you’ll be shocked at how clean your tank can be! Learn more or order.
Mail us at 9792 Edmonds Way #265, Edmonds, WA 98020. Email: Diane (at) rvtravel.com .
This website utilizes some advertising services. Sometimes we are paid if you click one of those links and purchase a product or service. Regardless of this potential revenue, unless stated otherwise, we only recommend products or services we believe provide value to our readers. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. RVtravel.com is a participant in the Walmart, Camping World and Amazon Services LLC Affiliate Programs which are designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by referrals to their websites.
RVtravel.com includes links to other websites. We cannot control the content and/or privacy policies of those sites. Please be aware when you leave this newsletter or any other section of RVtravel.com to read the privacy statements of any of those websites that collect personally identifiable information. Our own privacy policy applies only to RVtravel.com and its affiliated blogs.
I installed the 360 venturi vents on top of my refrigerator vent and it’s the first time that my refer hasn’t heated up when traveling down the hiway.
Hi Chuck, I’ve been trying to find out without any success if those metal garden hoses I see advertised on TV and for sale at Camping World are safe to use for an RV and drinking water. I would love to see you publish some information on this type of hose. Thanks for all your dedicated work.
Daniel, you mean those hoses that shrivel up to take practically no storage space? I don’t know if they are good for long term use, but they would do in a pinch if you needed a few extra feet to get to the water faucet. I bought one once to test, and it didn’t last more than a couple months of very part time use. I recommend you use the hoses specifically made for RVs.
Ever since an RV tech turned me on to the amazing product “Tank Tech’s Secret,” outhouse odors are a thing of the past. It’s a bacterial culture that literally turns your tank into a sewage-digestion tank. You no longer need to rinse your tank after dumping, because what’s left is just a little liquid bacterial culture (like yogurt or sourdough starter.) You just add a little more of the magic stuff through the toilet, and there you go. I fought with my black tank for years before discovering Tank Tech’s Secret. It’s expensive compared to “the blue stuff,” but it WORKS and you don’t have to keep buying accessories to try to deal with the failures of various chemicals, especially when it gets hot.
Many have found that just by using a lot of water during flushing and also during rinsing and emptying your black tank helps tremendously with keeping the odors down. In addition if every time you travel, rinse the tank out and put in a few gallons of water plus a cup of laundry detergent and an optional capful of Calgon water softener….will keep the tank from building up any solids in the tank and off the sensors. Using this method I have found that adding ANY black tank additive is a thing of the past and totally unnecessary saving me lots of $$ over time.
I went to the smile amazon website listed on this newsletter but it automatically selects a boys and girls club to support. There are a few other organizations listed but not RV Travel. I did a search for RV Travel but it did not come back with any results. I suspect if anyone uses this link their contribution may be going to something other than what they think. Looks kinda like bait and switch.
Just ignore those prompts unless you would prefer the small commission on a sale goes to any one of those charities. If you click from any link on our site to Amazon we automatically get credit.
Love this news letter
I have Prime Products a/c voltage gauge and it will not read the correct voltage when the inverter is on.
Reads correctly on shore and gen power.
Does not read correctly when on the inverter, or, does not read voltages at all?
That’s likely because your inverter is not a pure-sine-wav, and the distorted waveform is fooling the meter. More on this in an article I’m writing on Inverter technology.