July 16, 2012

Motorola's New Roadster 2

by Megan Edwards

Having become increasingly enamored with listening to audiobooks, streaming audio, and satellite radio on road trips, I was recently considering swapping out the factory-installed AM/FM radio/CD player in my road trip vehicle for a newer device. I wanted something that could also broadcast audio from Internet streaming sources or a storage device like an iPod or a smartphone...[More]

November 21, 2008
How to Tune a CB Radio Antenna

by Andrew Youderian

So you've purchased a mobile CB and have installed the antenna properly on your vehicle. Now comes the most important - and often overlooked - step: tuning the antenna. Do it right and you'll get excellent transmission and reception; do it wrong (or fail to do it at all) and you risk permanent damage to your radio. Andrew Youderian gives you step-by-step instructions...[More]

November 14, 2008
Product Review: Nature's Tears Eye Mist

by Dan Sedenquist

The iconic American road trip requires a footloose spirit and a great deal of wind in your hair. But that kind of open-air driving also has an unintended consequence: eyes as scratchy as sandpaper. Dan Sedenquist has a solution...[More]

October 24, 2008
How to Choose and Mount a CB Radio Antenna

by Andrew Youderian

The most critical component of any CB installation is the CB antenna. It's what allows your radio to send and receive signals so you can communicate on the road. So it's important to understand the different types of antennas and the available mounting options. Andrew Youderian tells you what you need to know...[More]

September 26, 2008
How to Pick a CB Radio

by Andrew Youderian

So you're browsing through a number of CB radios online thinking, "Bells on this one, whistles on that one. How in the world do I choose?" Relax. You may be surprised to learn that every one of those radios has exactly the same transmission potential; the rest is just sorting out the options. Andrew Youderian lends a hand...[More]

September 5, 2008
CB Radios: The Ideal Traveling Companion

by Andrew Youderian

Extremely popular in the 1970s, CB radios have since slipped from the spotlight and are now regarded by many as antiquated. Nothing could be further from the truth. Despite the emergence and affordability of other high-tech electronics, the classic CB radio remains one of the most useful tools available to travelers wishing to explore America's roadways. Andrew Youderian discusses a number of reasons why you'll want a CB while on the road...[More]

March 14, 2008
Save Big, Buy Used: Affordable, Convenient and Comfortable, a Used RV May be Right for You

by Bob Caldarone

Purchasing an RV is a big decision -- literally. At 20 or 30 feet in length, an RV just might be the largest item you'll ever purchase, outside of your home. While there are many factors that should be part of your decision, one of the first choices you'll need to make is whether to buy new or used. At Cruise America, we've found that a...[More]

February 29, 2008
Learning on a Roll

by Breanna Hite

Feel the burning urge to get away? Away from your parents? Away from school? Away from responsibility? You're not the only one. More and more young people are choosing the road less traveled and carving out their own path. So check this out. You can get yourself an RV, see the country, and still go to college. As long as you've got...[More]

May 27, 2007
Great American Hostels

by Ben Cooper

The writer GK Chesterton once said: "The whole object of travel is not to set foot on foreign land; it is at last to set foot on one's own country as a foreign land." He might almost have been talking about the road trip - that great American journey...[More]

May 13, 2007
Tips for Choosing & Using Coolers
by Sofia Romano

Coolers and road trips were made for each other. Coolers are also wonderful for family outings -- a day at the beach, a sporting event, or even a trip to an amusement park. They're even great for grocery shopping on hot summer days, and they're indispensable for picnics and backyard barbecues. As uses for coolers have multiplied, so have innovative designs. Whether you're setting out to conquer Route 66 or just heading up the road for a picnic in the park, here are tips for choosing and using the best coolers for your needs...[More]

April 8, 2007
Hostels: More Than Just a Cheap Place to Stay
by Ben Cooper

From Cape Cod to Cape Flattery, Los Angeles to New York, hostels have been springing up all over the place in recent years. But what exactly is a hostel? And are they really the sort of place in which you'd want to stay? [More]

April 8, 2007
"The Best Ice Scraper I Have Ever Used"
The IceDozer Plus

While record temperatures are beginniing to spread warmth around the American southwest, the Midwest and northeastern regions of the country are still locked in winter's deep freeze. Even though we'd all probably rather be thinking about beaches and bathing suits, we sent the IceDozer Plus, a new ice-scraping tool, to Geneviève Lauzière in Quebec...[More]

February 5, 2007
Finally! An RV Sewer Gadget that Works!
The Hose Buddy Discharge Hose Securing System
by George Bruzenak

I'll confess that after five years of full-time RVing, I've collected sewer gadgets that fill two, five-gallon buckets. In fact, I've probably got at least one of every sewer connector ever invented. They're all supposed to serve the same purpose--make sure that black water goes from your rig into the park pipe without spilling on the ground...[More]

November 19, 2006
Have Tent, Will Travel
by Tim Beaubien

I had to make a quick trip out to Sturgis, South Dakota during the annual event known as the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally to do a radio interview. Because this was going to be a solo trip, I took the opportunity to try out the Napier X-Treme Sportz Pac tent package that we sell at American Road Shop...[More]

November 5, 2006

How to Choose the Right GPS System
by John Booth

Many of us who have thus far avoided using a GPS receiver may be wondering what a GPS receiver does, what benefits the technology offers, and which models to look into. Let's start with a description of the technology. Global Positioning Satellites (GPS) are a series of satellites that work in combination to provide... [More]

November 5, 2006

Buckle Up: "Ruff" Road Ahead!
by Tammy Senter

Pet lovers understand that once you bring animals into your life, they quickly become members of the family. In fact, a study recently released by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association showed that 74 percent of dog owners think of their pet as a child or family member. With such a high percentage, it should come as no surprise that many of these families want to take their adored pet with them whenever they travel... [More]

September 24, 2006

RV Road Trip: Pros & Cons
by Dan Wulfman

A carefully planned RV vacation can be one of the most carefree, recuperative, exciting vacation experiences you'll ever have. But it's not for everyone. At my company, Tracks & Trails, we go to great lengths to head off problems for people who buy our RV vacation packages. But any trip that involves navigating unfamiliar territory is likely to produce a few stressful moments. You could encounter bad weather or get lost a time or two, forcing you to alter your plans. Take the time to think about how you handle these and other uncertain situations... [More]

June 18, 2006

Dog Days of Summer: Tips for Traveling with a Pet
by Tammy Senter

As the busy summer travel season approaches, millions of Americans are planning to load up the car (and their pets) to head for vacation destinations across the country. Yet, the prospect of a road trip or hotel stay can spark fear and panic in even the most docile pooch or kitty, leading to destructive behaviors that may disturb other passengers or harm the pet. Much can be done, however, to smooth out the trip once owners are equipped with the right knowledge... [More]

June 23, 2006
Five Tips for Choosing a Car Top Carrier
by David Schaefer

Vacation season is here. Millions of Americans will be hitting the highway to see our nation's great parks, camp in the mountains or swim at our wonderful beaches. Most families face a dilemma: how to fit everything in the car. Families travel with friends and pets. When there are more people, there's sure to be more luggage and gear. Young people on the go with smaller compact cars and SUVs need to haul sports gear like bikes, tents, canoes and golf clubs... [More]

February 5, 2006
PowerTank: Better Than an Air Compressor
by Del Albright

The single-lane dirt road was plugged with about twenty SUVs on a four-wheel drive road trip because one poor fellow had two flats at once! We were all lined up behind him. He had no air compressor and no one around him had on-board air. Fortunately, I had the cure. It's called a Power Tank.

The Power Tank looks like a SCUBA (diving) tank. But instead of oxygen, the Power Tank holds carbon dioxide (CO2). The CO2 is used to fill tires faster than an air compressor! [More]

August 14, 2005
How to Choose a Power Inverter for Your RV or Road Trip Vehicle
by Chad Whitney

Finding a device to convert DC power to AC may seem like it should be a simple task, but when you start shopping for a power inverter for your RV or road trip vehicle, you'll soon find that many choices will confront you. With prices ranging from less than $40 to well into the thousands, it can be difficult to know what features are important and how to choose a unit appropriate to your needs... [More]

April 18, 2004
Datastorm: A New Age in Mobile Connectivity
by Bill Adams

In February of 2002 we purchased our first DataStorm antenna from MotoSAT and quickly found that there were many more uses for the Internet than we had ever considered before. Now we no longer get any of our credit card statements by mail -- I simply get an e-mail that says, "Your statement is available for download." I then schedule my payment, and I have never had a late credit card payment since. I also schedule my motorhome payments each month to be deducted at the right time, and I can track my bank account, investment accounts, insurance accounts, and almost anything else online anytime I like and as often as I like. Like many RVers, we use DataStorm to run our business on the road... [More]

December 21,2003
Make Old Fiberglass Shine
by Paul Bernhagen

The shine on our six-year old Filon (fiberglass) sided RV was gone. Glass fibers were even exposed on the surface. Waxes no longer worked and painting was the only recommendation the Filon manufacturer could give. Searching the Internet under "fiberglass restoration" revealed several other alternatives for a fraction of the cost of painting. "Poli Glow" was the product I chose which the boating industry has used since 1991. The two step process couldn't be easier... [More]