RV Modifications That Make Tenting Simpler

When an individual buys an RV, sometimes the primary yr is spent conserving it pristine and in precisely the identical situation as after they first purchased it. (Absolutely most RV house owners have mentioned “Take these footwear off earlier than you step inside!” a minimum of as soon as of their first yr). Over time, that mania begins to subside. You are feeling extra snug making the RV extra your personal, like slapping a humorous sticker in your again windshield. Ultimately, you determine what may not be assembly your wants. It’s then you will have to choose – do you make a considerable RV modification that would completely alter your RV?

Fortunately, most modifications shouldn’t negatively impression your camper’s eventual resale worth. In truth, many occasions, it’d even enhance it. Better of all, it should nearly all the time enhance your enjoyment of the time spent out and in of the automobile.

DIY RV Modifications

Through the years, I’ve made fairly just a few updates to my 2000 Roadtrek camper van, most of which will be resolved with a screwdriver and a container of wooden filler. I put in a retractable clothesline in my tiny toilet in order that I might grasp my moist waders after a day of fly fishing. As a result of I by no means want wrinkle-free shirts or slacks, I eliminated the garments bar from the small closet behind the driving force seat and constructed just a few detachable cabinets. That closet has now gained considerably extra storage functionality, which you’ll’t have sufficient of in a small automobile.

You possibly can’t let fear cease you from making adjustments. I repurposed my TV cupboard right into a espresso and device-charging station, and I haven’t doubted that call for one second. I used to be nervous after I initially put in versatile photo voltaic panels on the roof of my van, and with good cause, it turned out. That call didn’t pan out; lower than three years later, the panels delaminated and the batteries I bought from Amazon had hassle conserving a cost.

Naturally, that failure gave me much more trepidation after I wanted to exchange these panels. I spotted I used to be in over my head and requested my buddy and licensed electrician Chris Poore for assist. Between the 2 of us – okay, nearly solely him – we have been capable of set up inflexible panels on custom-made brackets bonded to my fiberglass roof. I trusted my buddy and the expertise he had from doing the very same factor to different RVs, together with his personal.

The day after we put in these panels, I took off on a two-month trek via the southwest. For the primary week or two, my nervousness stage was via the roof each time I hit 65 mph on the interstate, fearing the panels would rip off, leaving holes in my roof and within the windshield of the dude tailgating me. That by no means occurred, fortunately.

Earlier than every huge journey, I attempt to bear in mind to examine to verify the bolts holding the panels to the rack are nonetheless tight. As a result of I used to be prepared to make an enormous modification to my van, I’m capable of boondock for as much as every week on BLM land, by no means having to fret if I’ll have sufficient energy to cost my digital camera batteries or laptop computer. Assuming, after all, the climate hasn’t been too cloudy.

Bettering Efficiency

Generally, your modifications go unseen, and it’s principally a matter of if you wish to spend extra money. As a often broke freelancer – okay, all the time broke – I don’t prefer to spend cash after I don’t need to. After I first purchased the van, the steering felt unfastened. After performing some analysis, I discovered a steering stabilizer that fellow Roadtrek customers swore by. I’d simply dropped 5 digits on the van, so what was an additional $300 or $400? Fortunately it was a worthwhile funding; I loved driving the van relatively than dreading it.

I spend quite a lot of time navigating bumpy dust roads. So when the shocks started to fail, I felt it, actually. The bumps would shoot me straight up within the air, and I’ll have really hit my head on the ceiling a few times. After I went to my mechanic to exchange them, I paid practically twice as a lot for top-of-the-line Bilstein shocks. By this time, I knew the place I preferred to camp and what I wanted from my van to get me there. By going with the heavy-duty shocks, I knew not solely would I benefit from the cushier trip, however so would the van itself.

After I do meet up with different RV house owners, the dialog all the time turns from the place we’ve been these days to the place we’re going to what we plan to do to our van subsequent. Based mostly on these conversations, a few of the hottest modifications are backup cameras, tankless water heaters, tire stress screens, and flooring, adopted by new home equipment and mattresses.

Concepts for RV Modifications

Vinyl Plank Flooring

I put in some peel-and-stick vinyl plank flooring just a few years in the past in my very own van. It’s not solely the best but in addition the best choice for many RV house owners. The planks are tremendous simple to chop and place. Plus, they gained’t be ruined while you inevitably observe in dust, mud, or water. If one thing does occur to them, it’s simple to pry them up and begin over with a brand new product.

Backup Digicam

Given the state of my hitch-mounted bike rack, I desperately want to put in a backup digital camera myself. The massive drawback – and one I believe many different house owners have – is which digital camera? You should purchase wired or wi-fi variations. Some variations change your rearview mirror whereas others feed the digital camera stream to your Apple Carplay video monitor. (And don’t get me began on the overwhelming variety of aftermarket stereo replacements.) I’m fairly positive some have alarms whereas others depend on your spouse to scream, “Hit the brake, Rob!”

Tankless Water Heater

Tankless water heaters are just like the Houston Astros – you both love them or hate them. There’s completely no center floor. A lot of the people I do know who’ve them aren’t followers. However I’ve additionally learn some good critiques on-line. I assume it’s doable the producers are writing these constructive critiques themselves, identical to I’m positive Jose Altuve has spent hours on on-line baseball boards anonymously defending his AL MVP awards. When you like your tankless water heater, hold forth within the feedback. And in the event you assume Altuve cheated and didn’t need to be named MVP, let’s hear it, if solely to see if SeriouslyNotAltuve27 seems within the feedback.

I’ve not purchased a tire stress monitor but, however I’m positive I’ll in some unspecified time in the future. Correctly inflated tires can enhance your fuel mileage by as much as 3 %. And in the event you put the miles in your RV that I do, that provides up in a rush!

I’ve received just a few extra concepts for additional modifying my Roadtrek. For starters, I’ll connect a mount to the entrance of my closet door to carry my varied fly rods. I’ll add brighter headlights to make driving at night time simpler for my old-man eyes. I now not fear about how my adjustments will have an effect on the resale worth – I’m driving this child till the wheels fall off. However I nonetheless wish to be certain that any adjustments I make are worthwhile and never simply change for change’s sake. 

Your RV Modifications

We wished to study which RV modifications our readers have made to their items that improved how they camp. From tow automobile enhancements to inside decorations, learn which RV modifications make tenting simpler for fellow RVers.

Inside Furnishings Improve

“We took out the uncomfortable dinette, and put in rockets recliners and a console.”

-Jane

Full Renovation

“Full toy hauler renovation, solar ground, vinyl plank, trimmed out, full washer and dryer hook up, mattress lifts renovated to bunk with 4 twin mattresses to sleep 4 or the 6 children, than IKEA sofa that folds to queen mattress for the two youthful children!!.”

-Touring 8 Pack

Suspension Improve

“New heavy responsibility leaf springs. My spouse packs every little thing however the kitchen sink. Lol”

-Charlie

Washer & Dryer Hookups

“Full washer and dryer hook up put in plumbing into kitchen sink plumbing.”

-Casey

Automobile Improve

“This 4 wheel drive entrance axle on my E450.”

-Travis

Accessibility

“Added a elevate for handicapped entry..”

-Deborah

Have you ever made modifications to your RV which have improved its efficiency and your time on the campground? Tell us within the feedback under.