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Seal of Approval

Originally Published in Trailer Life Magazine

 

Readers’ top picks in our third annual RV poll

 

One of the great things about RVers is a nearly universal willingness to share hard-earned RV know-how. Visit any RV park, and chances are, it won’t take long before you’re exchanging tips on backing into a campsite with the couple next door. Wherever RVers meet, the conversation naturally turns from small talk to recommendations on everything from the best fuel stabilizer and fifth-wheel hitch to the most reliable trailer tires.

In 2012 we came up with a way to capitalize on Trailer Life readers’ collective RV intelligence and share it on a grand scale. Each year we conduct an online poll to find the places and brands readers rely on most during their RV travels. With last year’s results now in, we’re pleased to announce the 2014 Readers’ Choice Awards — gold, silver and bronze medalists in 28 RV-centric categories. And the winners are….

 

ENGINE OIL


Bottle of Shell Rotella T Triple Protection engine oilGold: Shell Rotella
Produced by the Shell Oil Company, Shell Rotella heavy-duty engine oils and synthetic lubricants control wear, buildup and emissions.
800-237-8645 | www.shell.com/rotella

Silver: Mobil 1
800-662-4525 | www.mobiloil.com

Bronze: Amsoil
800-956-5695 | www.amsoil.com

 

 

FIFTH-WHEEL HITCH


Reese Fifth Wheel Hitch systemGold: Reese
Reese has been in the business of making towing devices since 1952, now specializing in heavy-duty fifth-wheel hitches and weight-distribution systems.
800-632-3290 | www.reeseprod.com

Silver: B&W
800-810-4918 | www.turnoverball.com

Bronze: PullRite
800-443-2307 | www.pullrite.com

 

FIFTH-WHEEL TRAILER


Keystone Fifth wheel trailerGold: Keystone
The number one manufacturer of RVs in North America, Keystone builds fifth-wheels, travel trailers, toy haulers and destination trailers.
866-425-4369 | www.keystonerv.com

Silver: Forest River
574-389-4600 | www.forestriverinc.com

Bronze: Heartland
877-262-8032 | www.heartlandrvs.com

 

FOLDING CAMPER


Folding-Camper_StarcraftGold: Starcraft
In business for five decades, Starcraft manufacturers RVs from entry-level folding campers and lightweight trailers to luxurious fifth-wheels.
800-945-4787 | www.starcraftrv.com

(Tie) TrailManor
TrailManor’s unique retractable hard-wall trailers fold down for easy towing, can be pulled by vans and SUVs, and fit in an average-size garage.
402-316-7288 | www.trailmanor.com

TrailManor-7Silver: Chalet
541-791-4610 | www.chaletrv.com

(Tie) Forest River
574-389-4600 | www.forestriverinc.com

Bronze: Aliner
724-423-7440 | www.aliner.com

 

 

FUEL ADDITIVE


3 Bottles of Lucas Oil Fuel Additive BlueGold: Lucas Oil
Lucas Oil provides premium oil, grease and additives, including Lucas Fuel Stabilizer for preventing gasoline breakdown during storage.
800-342-2512 | www.lucasoil.com

Silver: Amsoil
800-956-5695 | www.amsoil.com

Bronze: Sta-Bil
800-367-3245 | www.goldeagle.com

 

FUEL STATION


Fuel-Station_Pilot-Flying-JGold: Pilot Flying J
The Pilot and Flying J chains merged in 2010 to form North America’s largest network of travel plazas with more than 650 RV-friendly locations.
877-866-7378 | www.pilotflyingj.com

Silver: Love’s Travel Stops
800-655- 6837 | www.loves.com

Bronze: Costco
800-774-2678 | www.costco.com

(Tie) Maverik
800-789-4455 | www.maverik.com

 

HOLDING-TANK CHEMICALS


Box and bottle of Thetford Aqua-Kem Holding Tank ChemicalGold: Thetford
Thetford is the world’s leading manufacturer of mobile sanitation products for the RV, marine, camping and truck markets.
800-543-1219 | www.thetford.com

Silver: Dometic
800-544-4881 | www.dometic.com

Bronze: Camco
800-334-2004 | www.camco.net

(Tie) Odorlos
800-869-8764 | www.yara.us

 

PERFORMANCE-ENHANCING PRODUCT


Performance-Enhancing-Product_Banks-CBC-SmartLockGold: Banks Power
Banks offers a range of emissions-legal products to improve power and fuel economy from cold-air intake kits to PowerPack Systems.
800-601-8072 | www.bankspower.com

Silver: Edge
888-360-3343 | www.edgeproducts.com

Bronze: Bully Dog
877-285-5936 | www.bullydog.com

 

REFRIGERATOR


Dometic RV refrigeratorGold: Dometic
A leading supplier of RV refrigerators, Dometic also offers RV awnings, toilets, air conditioners, and portable refrigerators and freezers.
800-544-4881 | www.dometic.com

Silver: Norcold
800-543-1219 | www.norcold.com

Bronze: Samsung
800-726-7864 | www.samsung.com

 

RV AWNING


RV trailer with Dometic 9100 Power awning parked on grassGold: Dometic
Dometic’s wide selection of RV awning products includes patio, door and window awnings, slide toppers and screen rooms.
800-544-4881 | www.dometic.com

Silver: Carefree of Colorado
303-469-3324 | www.carefreeofcolorado.com

Bronze: Awnings by Zip Dee
800-338-2378 | www.awningsbyzipdee.com

 

RV CAMPGROUND/RESORT


Aerial view of Pechanga Campground Resort with RVsGold: Pechanga RV Resort, Temecula, California
With 168 full-hookup campsites and all the amenities, Pechanga RV Resort is a short walk or shuttle ride from California’s biggest casino.
877-997-8386 | www.pechanga.com

Silver: Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort, Orlando, Florida
407-934-7639 | www.disneyworldcamping.com

Bronze: Billings KOA, Billings, Montana
406-252-3104 | www.koa.com/campgrounds/billings

(Tie) Ocean Lakes Family Campground, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
843-238-5532 | www.oceanlakes.com

 

RV CASINO RESORT


RV-Casino-Resort_PechangaGold: Pechanga Resort and Casino, Temecula, California
A 200,000-square-foot gaming floor makes this California’s largest casino, and Pechanga RV Resort is conveniently located next door.
951-693-1819 | www.pechanga.com

Silver: Laughlin/Avi Casino KOA, Laughlin, Nevada
702-535-5450 | koa.com/campgrounds/laughlin

(Tie) Seven Feathers Casino Resort, Canyonville, Oregon
800-548-8461 | www.sevenfeathers.com

Bronze: Coushatta Casino Resort, Kinder Louisiana
800-584-7263 | www.coushattacasinoresort.com

(Tie) Grand Casino Hinckley, Hinckley, Minnesota
800-472-6321 | www.grandcasinomn.com

Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort, Jackson, California
800-822-9466 | www.jacksoncasino.com

Sam’s Town Hotel & Gambling Hall, Las Vegas, Nevada
702-456-7777 | www.samstownlv.com

Turning Stone Resort Casino, Verona, New York
800-771-7711 | www.turningstone.com

 

RV CLEANING PRODUCT


White bottle of ProtectAll RV Cleaning ProductGold: Protect All
ProtectAll’s line of products includes polishes, washes, wheel and tire cleaner, rubber-roof treatment, slideout lubricants and black-streak removers.
800-322-4491 | www.protectall.com

Silver: Dometic
800-544-4881 | www.dometic.com

Bronze: Meguiar’s
800-347-5700 | www.meguiars.com

 

RV COVER


RV-Cover_ADCOGold: ADCO
Established in 1955, ADCO specializes in RV covers, as well as covers for RV tires, windshields, air-conditioning units and propane cylinders.
800-541-2326 | www.adcoprod.com

Silver: Calmark
800-838-7236 | www.calmarkcovers.com

Bronze: Classic Accessories
800-854-2315 | www.classicaccessories.com

 

RV GENERATOR


Red Honda EU2000 Generator Gold: Honda
A manufacturer of long-lasting and quiet generators, Honda has portable power stations for RV use in a range of output levels.
770-497-6400 | www.powerequipment.honda.com

Silver: Yamaha
800-962-7926 | www.yamaha-motor.com

Bronze: Cummins
800-888-6626 | www.power.cummins.com

 

RV RETAILER


RV-Retailer_Camping-WorldGold: Camping World
Camping World is America’s largest retailer of RV supplies, accessories and new and used RVs, with more than 100 locations across the country.
888-626-7576 | www.campingworld.com

Silver: Local Dealer

Bronze: Walmart
800-925-6278 | www.walmart.com

 

RV TIRES


Goodyear RV TireGold: Goodyear
The number one tire maker in North America, Goodyear has been in the tire business since 1898 and continues to make tires for all kinds of vehicles.
800-321-2136 | goodyear.com

Silver: Michelin
866-866-6605 | www.michelinman.com

Bronze: Maxxis
800-462-9947 | www.mexxis.com

 

RV TOILET


White Aria RV Toilet by ThetfordGold: Thetford
Thetford markets RV toilets under the Tecma, Aria and Aqua Magic brands, and offers toilet chemicals, cleaners, convenience products and portable toilets.
800-543-1219 | www.thetford.com

Silver: Dometic
800-544-4881 | www.dometic.com

Bronze: Fiamma
407-672-0091 | www.fiammausa.com

 

SATELLITE HARDWARE


Image of three Satellite dish'sGold: Winegard
Winegard is a leader in the field of mobile television-reception products, from local broadcast TV antennas to portable and roof-mounted satellite systems.
800-288-8094 | www.winegard.com

Silver: Dish Tailgater
888-656-2461 | www.dish.com/technology/tv-outdoors

Bronze: King
952-922-6889 | www.kingcontrols.com

 

SATELLITE PROVIDER


Satellite-Provider_DishGold: Dish
Dish provides 14 million direct-broadcast satellite-TV subscribers with 200 high-definition U.S. channels and many international channels.
800-823-4929 | www.dish.com

Silver: DirecTV
888-777-2454 | www.directv.com

Bronze: Shaw
888-472-2222 | www.shaw.ca

 

SIT-DOWN RESTAURANT


Outside of Cracker Barrel Restaurant with rocking chairsGold: Cracker Barrel
With more than 600 U.S. locations, Cracker Barrel welcomes RVers to friendly homes-away-from-home that include free overnight RV parking.
800-333-9566 | www.crackerbarrel.com

Silver: Denny’s
800-733-6697 | www.dennys.com

Bronze: Applebee’s
888-592-7753 | www.applebees.com

 

STATE TO RV IN


State-To-RV-In_Utah2Gold: Utah
With five national parks, seven national monuments, two national recreation areas and one national historic site, Utah is a must-see destination for RVers.
800-200-1160 | www.visitutah.com

Silver: Colorado
800-265-6723 | www.colorado.com

(Tie) Oregon
800-547-7842 | www.traveloregon.com

Bronze: Michigan
888-784-7328 | www.michigan.org

 

TIRE-MONITORING SYSTEM


TireMinder Tire Monitoring System product imageGold: TireMinder
TireMinder’s tire-pressure monitoring systems and components keep tabs on tire pressure for greater peace of mind on the road.
772-463-6522 | www.minderresearch.com

Silver: HawksHead
888-321-8767 | www.tpms.ca

(Tie) Truck System Technologies
770-889-9102

Bronze: Pressure Pro
800-959-3505 | www.advantagepressurepro.com

(Tie) RVibrake
800-815-2159 | www.rvibrake.com

 

TRAILER HITCH


Image of Equali-i-zer Trailer Hitch Gold: Equal-i-zer
Made in America for nearly 60 years, the Equal-i-zer hitch combines weight distribution with sway control for a smoother, safer ride.
800-478-5578 | www.equalizerhitch.com

Silver: Blue Ox SwayPro
800-228-9289 | www.blueox.com

Bronze: Hensley
800-410-6580 | www.hensleymfg.com

 

TRAVEL TRAILER


Exterior image of Forest River Rockwood Mini LiteGold: Forest River
Launched in 1996, Forest River is now one of America’s largest RV manufacturers, with a wide range of towable and motorized RVs.
574-389-4600 | www.forestriverinc.com

Silver: Jayco
574-825-5861 | www.jayco.com

Bronze: Keystone
866-425-4369 | www.keystonerv.com

 

TRUCK BED LINER


Truck-Bed-Liner_Line-XGold: Line-X
Line-X fast-curing spray-on bedliners offer tough protection with long-lasting polymer coatings that keep truck beds looking good.
877-330-1331 | www.linex.com

Silver: Rhino Linings
800-422-2603 | www.rhinolinings.com

Bronze: BedRug
800-462-8435 | www.bedrug.com

 

TRUCK CAMPER


Exterior image of Lance Truck Camper Gold: Lance
Awarded the highest rating from Consumers Digest, Lance makes America’s most popular truck campers as well as a new line of travel trailers.
661-949-3322 | www.lancecamper.com

Silver: Alaskan Campers
360-748-6494 | www.alaskancamper.com

(Tie) Bigfoot
250-546-2155 | www.bigfootrv.com

Bronze: Chalet
541-791-4610 | www.chaletrv.com

(Tie) Four Wheel Campers
800-242-1442 | www.fourwheelcampers.com

Hallmark
877-659-5753 | www.hallmarkrv.com

Host
541-330-2328 | www.hostcampers.com

Northern Lite
250-765-3702 | www.northern-lite.com

Northstar Campers
319-233-3461 | www.northstarcampers.com

Northwood
800-766-6274 | www.northwoodmfg.com

 

TRUCK FOR TOWING


Truck-for-Towing_Ford2Gold: Ford
Ford’s popular F-Series truck lineup includes the ubiquitous F-150, America’s best-selling truck for 37 years and best-selling vehicle for 32 years.
800-392-3673 | www.ford.com

Silver: Ram
800-423-6343 | www.ramtrucks.com

Bronze: Chevy
800-222-1020 | www.chevrolet.com

 


 

2014 Readers' ChoiceGearRV Lifestyle

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