Community Forums

SSteve · 09-11-2010, 01:22 PM

I recall a thread discussing the best additions/upgrades/changes/customizing/mods to "your" rig. I really tried to find it, but failed.

I want to add our $.02 so, a new thread.

In the six months we've full-timed, DW and I made a number of additions to our rig. All were the result of a need (at the time) and most have been of use from time to time. Only one has proven to be valuable ALL of the time.

We bought our coach in Tucson and used it on and off for two years before dumping the house. This is relevant because in the Southwest, humidity is rarely a problem. When we left Tucson and headed towards the mid-west, humidity became a factor, to the point we were finding it terribly uncomfortable. We hated going into the coach!

We finally broke down and bought a Frigidair 50 pint dehumidifier. Longer story shorter, what a difference in livability! It took two full days running at full capacity to remove the excess humidity from the coach, but once it was there, life was good again.

As we wander about, we always check the rigs around us when the air is humid and the temps are cool and are surprised at the moisture on the inside of most windshields. No good can come from that. Ours has none.

It takes less AC or heat to keep us comfy.

Since the latent moisture was removed (all of that moisture being held in the fabrics, woodwork and carpet) the dehumidifier now removes one to three gallons (yep, gallons) of water a day from the air. Initially it was three to six gallons (max ability).

Cost was $200. A tad steep at first, but well worth it. We bought ours at Best Buy, but have seen them in Lowe's as well. We bought the extended warranty too. Glad we did. We'll probably wear this one out in a year or so. We run it all of the time.

Steve

wkdwitch · 09-11-2010, 02:01 PM

Our best addition was a set of wireless headphones for "any" of the televisions. Just plug them up and save a marriage!~ He can skip my music (oldies on xm) and I can skip his VERY old westerns and sports galore. Gotta admit, they are also useful when doing the sat dish set up in the trees and such - one MAN job so no arguments there either.

Route 66 · 09-11-2010, 03:22 PM

3 additions.

MotoSAT F1 satellite internet dish.

MotoSAT HD-SL5 DirecTV HD dish.

Sony 40" HD TV.

JMonroe · 09-11-2010, 04:59 PM

The best addition was my butt in the driver's seat!

SSteve, I wonder if you're not pulling in some air from the outside, somehow? Unless you're living in a rain forest, 3 gallons a day, once the initial 'dry out' is done, sounds excessive. Are you running an exhaust fan when you shower, or cook?

As we live in the mid-west, we're very familiar with the need to run a dehumidifier in the summer, in most cases in the basement only (and in the winter we have to run a humidifier to put it back!), and we won't take out much more in a week than you do in a day. Or are you trying to maintain a desert like 10% humidity level?

Catch and Release · 09-11-2010, 05:45 PM

Both safety related.

Added the Pressure Pro Tire Pressure monitoring system (saved 2 tires) and the Progressive Industries surge suppressor (saved the electronics twice).

Spent $800 and saved multiples more not to mention what would have happened when tires came apart from low pressure.

UFO Pilot · 09-11-2010, 06:09 PM

Tire-SafeGuard and SurgeGuard tied for best. Second best, Clean Dump.

azloafer · 09-11-2010, 06:24 PM

The best single thing that we have done was to add a roof-top AC unit for use during our summers here in the desert southwest. The AC unit is only needed during the daytime when parked in full sun. Any other time the basement air does fine. It is difficult to park with trees for shade and still be able to extend the slides.

We also added two suspension improvements as shown in our signature. Joe

diandtom · 09-11-2010, 06:26 PM

It is between the Transflow 30 gal tank/tool box or the Pressure Pro.

Ray,IN · 09-11-2010, 07:00 PM

Added new longer springs to accommodate the new Sailun 235/85R15 LR G tires, all at once. 5er tows much better, and now have a 20% safety factor on tire weight. TST TPMS for 5er tires alerted me to all four ST tires failing at the same time-ply separation.

**NLOVNIT** · 09-11-2010, 07:37 PM

Progressive Industries EMS. Has alerted us of low voltage 3x & reversed polarity once. Won't ever own an RV without one of these installed.

Lori-

Froggi Donna · 09-11-2010, 07:50 PM

Don't think I could choose just one but these are at the top of our list:

1.) Progressive on-board EMS
2.) Pressure Pro Tire Monitoring System
3.) Splendide stack W/D
4.) Winfield Cross Brace Stabilizers
5.) Electric levelers (front & back)
6.) Solar system
7.) HDTV setup

I'm sure I've missed something but that's our list...

RickO · 09-11-2010, 07:56 PM

Hmmmm..... Probably Doran 360 TPMS and our Safe T Steer. But, I like the comments on the dehumidifiers... after spending our very first summer in the south and midwest. We ain't in California any more Toto.

micd · 09-11-2010, 08:11 PM

Prior to our last trip I would have said the back-up camera. However since I slowly backed into a small tree last trip (no damage as it was very pliable and I was going very slow) I am so disappointed that I didn't see it in the back-up camera that I now have to say that the best addition was sound insulating the dog house. Quiets the engine noise and don't really feel the heat coming through any more. I have no idea why the manufacturers don't do this.

I also like my tire pressure monitoring system. No more wondering what they are! Haven't had my surge protector tell me anything interesting yet. But I do really like my awning lock so I don't have to worry about it becoming unfurled while driving.

Cheers!
Michelle

ChrisNiemann · 09-11-2010, 08:19 PM

my single best was simple - G P S !!!!

other than that, i've done so much remodeling and rearranging of furniture that i don't even know where to start... i did it all cause it was needed or wanted so it was all great!