Mods to RVs

[smittysrv]

We bought a 2005 31 ft Class C Coachmen Santara and really like it. We changed out the scissor couch for a RecPro love recliner, which is on the slide out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rs4dlcyx_sY

[RonDent]

Just finishing a 3000 mike trip with a new suspension We bought our first class A last fall after 3 previous class C’s. The last previous C was total RoadMaster sway bars and steering damper, Bilstein shocks. I was very satisfied with ride and handling. In the class A our eye level is equal to the overhead bunk of our last C and so the sway and roll of the greater height was unnerving. So, I did the RoadMaster upgrade, larger sway in front, auxiliary sway in back, and steering damper.
After a 1600 mile trip to North Carolina through the rolling mtns of West Viiginia I still wasn’t satisfied. I was regretting the move to an A. So I Googled my frustrations and came across an article in Motor Home magazine that addressed my very feelings about the ride with the Ford F53 chassis. It was describing a product called Liquid Spring and the improvement obtained with ride and handling.
Checking their web site I was impressed with the testimonials of others who had similar experiences before Liquid Spring and then afterward. My wife and I agreed we should convert our suspension. It was an extra expense, approximately 5% of the MSRP of our unit, or going back to a smaller C
We talked with Wayne Wells and made an appointment to do the conversion to Liquid Spring. We were talking at church about our appointment and a gentleman and his company does Liquid Spring conversions for ambulances said it was a “very good product “. Then he corrected himself and said, “No it’s a very, very good product.” Needless to say it made us feel good about our decision.
So now coming home after 3000 mile trip out west we are definitely happy. It really does give you a smoother more enjoyable experience. For instance, riding on the back bed you aren’t being flipped like a flapjack. Cornering became smooth not requiring constant correction of under steer and then oversteer. Being buffeted by 25 mph cross winds in Kansas was manageable whereas before it would have been a much more white knuckle experience. Washboard National Forest roads were smoothed out remarkably. Traveling is now fun again.

[RonDent]

The pantry in our unit and past units have been deep and narrow and dark. So I added 12 volt strip LED lighting along the front edge and down the back corner controlled by magnetic switch.

[Vroom]

Haven't done a dinette yet but I did one of these......

This is what we did after removing the dash TV, so sad to see it go, NOT! This mod was done on the cheap. Had the 3/4" particle board, wood glue, spray adhesive, and 1 5/8" drywall screws laying around in the garage. Took the carpet out of the motorhome rear closet and replaced it with a piece from Home Depot. Found the escutcheon ring with spring loaded cap on eBay for two bucks including shipping. It hides the wires for the 48" flat screen that hangs from the overhead cabinets when we get to where we're going. When we're on the move, the TV stores very nicely under the rear bed. This unit attaches with one 2" screw. Remove one screw and it will easily slide out to access all of the workings within the dash. Honestly, after removing the TV from the dashboard and creating the huge hole I didn't have a plan. For two weeks I went out to the motorhome every day and just starred at the hole until the light came on. The best part about this project is that there was no instructions to read, I just went for it.

[RonDent]

Nice

[4x4dually]

I got tired of the tongue setup on our Catalina 313RLS. The tailgate wouldn't drop when hooked up, the torsion bar mounts were all bound up, the LP tank cover got in the way of the torsion bar latch safety pin, etc. The entire setup sucked.

So...moved battery to outside of frame, moved tanks back and into the tongue on a slight angle, spun the jack head around so the tailgate would drop, and built an expanded metal basket for all our wood blocks and leveling junk. The jack light even shines into the box now. I also cut the torsion bar mounts and welded them to the tongue. Got tired of them moving and looking like crap.

[panthercity]

Originally Posted by 4x4dually

I got tired of the tongue setup on our Catalina 313RLS. The tailgate wouldn't drop when hooked up, the torsion bar mounts were all bound up, the LP tank cover got in the way of the torsion bar latch safety pin, etc. The entire setup sucked.

So...moved battery to outside of frame, moved tanks back and into the tongue on a slight angle, spun the jack head around so the tailgate would drop, and built an expanded metal basket for all our wood blocks and leveling junk. The jack light even shines into the box now. I also cut the torsion bar mounts and welded them to the tongue. Got tired of them moving and looking like crap.

Good work. GREAT thinking!

[justfishing]

Needed a little cubby hole on wifes side of bed and added cup holders to each side of couch. Not major mods but more convenient. Also added hinges to under bed storage as it didnt come with any.

[okmunky]

My favorite mod cost $5.25 and took 30 seconds to install. I put a flip up door stop on our bathroom door. Now it stays open regardless of what angle the RV is sitting. It's the little conveniences that make an RV a home.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[sdennislee]

Originally Posted by okmunky

It's the little conveniences that make an RV a home.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Agreed

[IC2]

Originally Posted by okmunky

My favorite mod cost $5.25 and took 30 seconds to install. I put a flip up door stop on our bathroom door. Now it stays open regardless of what angle the RV is sitting. It's the little conveniences that make an RV a home.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I know that it's a done deal and one we used on a past RV plus have a spare that was destined for this 5er. A guy on another RV site put me on to an Everbilt (Home Depot/Lowe's) magnstic version that works, IMO, even better: lhttps://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-3-in-Satin-Nickel-Magnetic-Doorstop-with-Catch-16096/202034035

There are a bunch of different types:https://www.google.com/search?q=magn...CAQQBg#imgrc=_

[4x4dually]

Originally Posted by okmunky

My favorite mod cost $5.25 and took 30 seconds to install. I put a flip up door stop on our bathroom door. Now it stays open regardless of what angle the RV is sitting. It's the little conveniences that make an RV a home.

I like to poop with the door open too.

[okmunky]

My tiny bathroom is also a place where I can store things safe from little monkey hands. Consequently it is so crowded that there isn’t room for all of me if I close the door. I'm not claustrophobic, but shutting the door with me in there could cause me to be.

[4x4dually]

Originally Posted by okmunky

My tiny bathroom is also a place where I can store things safe from little monkey hands. Consequently it is so crowded that there isn’t room for all of me if I close the door. I'm not claustrophobic, but shutting the door with me in there could cause me to be.

It must be like the old men's room in Willie's Saloon in Stillwater, Ok back i the day. If you sit on the pot, your nose was about 2.5" from the door. In order to wipe, one would have to turn their head to the side and lean into the corner.