Must-Have Modifications

[NavyMustang]

I've looked through several modifications and upgrades that people *have* done, but I'd like to get everyone's thoughts on what they'd *recommend* doing. What are are the ***must-have upgrades*** ? What can we not live without?

Photos of ingenious upgrades would be appreciated!

(I just bought my first Keystone, and am just looking for ideas. First thing I did to my week-old 248RKS was to install an electric tongue jack.)

[GMcKenzie]

Good choice on the tongue jack.

Surge protector of some kind. I prefer the installed ones to the plug in ones. Then they can't go for a walk.
Fantastic fan (or similar) especially if you dry camp and can't run AC.
Better WDH then the normal RV place sells.
Water pressure tank so you can pee in the night without running the pump (again, not needed if you camp with full hookups).
Better batteries (again......... hookups).

Little accessories.
Water pressure regulator & in line filter
Second waste hose
Clear section for waste hose
Bubble level of some kind


Things I've got I really like:
Fencing for dogs so they don't have to be leashed
Water mister to hang on the awning.
Chairs to sit in and chairs to nap in. - both indoor and outdoor

[busterbrown]

Click here for a thread I created that gives insight into my priorities for "must-haves".

[Desert185]

In my order of importance:

Maxxis or Carlisle tires, balanced with metal stems
Wet bolts
Surge protector (portable 50A for future use)
Water pressure regulator and inline water filter
TPMS
A good bottle jack and torque wrench
Pancake air compressor
SteadyFast stabilizers
Two, 6V golf cart batteries
Andersen levelers
Fastway one step chock
MaxxAir vent covers
Extra water hose (total 50')
Extra Rhino tank drain hose
QD propane connection for the Weber Q
Batwing antenna booster
Coax for park TV hookup
Portable ice maker
Flagpole Buddy flagpole and flag
LED bulbs
Oxygenics shower head
Step covers
Interior bling, as desired

[UsTwo]

My must have is Plexiglass on the screen doors...

[LarrySharon]

Those were some really nice upgrades. Some really good ideas that I have not thought of.

[Pull Toy]

Best one yet.... Full tank, and the horizon in the windshield.

You'll figure out the rest.............

Good Luck, and enjoy, Thank you for your service Sir!

[Calindria]

Originally Posted by GMcKenzie

Good choice on the tongue jack.

Surge protector of some kind. I prefer the installed ones to the plug in ones. Then they can't go for a walk.
Fantastic fan (or similar) especially if you dry camp and can't run AC.
Better WDH then the normal RV place sells.
Water pressure tank so you can pee in the night without running the pump (again, not needed if you camp with full hookups).
Better batteries (again......... hookups).

Little accessories.
Water pressure regulator & in line filter
Second waste hose
Clear section for waste hose
Bubble level of some kind


Things I've got I really like:
Fencing for dogs so they don't have to be leashed
Water mister to hang on the awning.
Chairs to sit in and chairs to nap in. - both indoor and outdoor

What kind of fencing do you use for your dogs?

[kksfish]

GMcKenzie tell us more about the water mister like where you found it!

[Alpine]

One of my favorites so far is, changed out the "bathroom" style window glass in the entry door to a matching tinted safety glass! $35.00. Love being able to look out!

[Jetfixer03]

Amen brother.

[Tm98]

Originally Posted by Alpine

One of my favorites so far is, changed out the "bathroom" style window glass in the entry door to a matching tinted safety glass! $35.00. Love being able to look out!

Where did you find the tinted glass?

[GaryWT]

I don't have pictures but putting a 6 inch by 8 foot piece of PVC piping under the trailer for the sewer hose was a must for me. Also for the wife putting shelves in the closet just outside the bathroom for the towels and finding hanging shelves/storage for her closet for her clothes. That is basically all we did.

[Dave W]

We have been doing the RV thing with a towable for so long that many of the items mentioned above have been moved from a then current one to the next last one.

In our case a 2nd a/c mod became a necessity after several late summer/early fall trips South. Wet bolts have become a requirement as are good LT tires. Then since I made a purchase error with this 5er, am converting it from a 5200 pound suspension to 6000 pounds with new springs. I'm also adding hubs and rotors for 6000# disc brakes (ordered yesterday). Since my DW has 'complained' will turn a cupboard into a sort of pantry with roll out shelves. If I were to order a 5er built to my specifications, would insist on SeeLevel tank level gauges to replace the inaccurate and unreliable junk normally supplied. I have Horst Miracle probes on the black tank now, but they so far aren't much better then the originals. The exterior lights are all slowly being converted fully to LED with LED brake lights this past spring and the failed 1156 scare light bulbs just replaced this week. Most of the 12VDC interior lights already are LED but the ones that aren't, soon will be changed. LED lights are a big time battery saver, especially for dry camping

There are several mods waiting for me to install. MORryde X-Factor cross members, an ARP refrigerator monitor among the major ones with others not so important.

Yes, I'm probably a bit off the subject -

[Mandolin]

Took the dinette cushions out to an upholstery shop to get MUCH upgraded foam. $275 but it beats bottoming out while sitting. My 110lb tiny neighbor sat in the dinette and bottomed out the cushions and that was sort of the last straw....

For the first two trips out we used a bunch of those temporary wall sticky things to hang items and guess about placement before making more permanent changes.

The tall pantry beside the stove is going to get 2 roll-out shelves (leaving 2 static) - yes, it will reduce the useful space by the width of the rails and drawer, but it will be easier to fully use the depth of the cabinet. Checked the fit, btw, with the drawer fully extended we will have about and inch and a half clearance of the far wall - that is the narrowest part of the trailer.

[Charby]

Originally Posted by Tm98

Where did you find the tinted glass?

I did this and makes a huge difference on our trailer. I ordered 3mm tempered glass from an auto glass shop, that also tinted it to the shade I wanted. This way is much cheaper than tinted tempered glass and holds up well. I also got the butyl tape at same place. Cost me $50 in Canada.
The LED bulb change is got to be the first mod on any RV, as it is a must for dry camping and saves the converter running when plugged in. Make sure you get good quality bulbs as some cheap bulbs with low output will disappoint you.

[Alpine]

Originally Posted by Tm98

Where did you find the tinted glass?

Sorry Tm98 I missed this question! I just took the measurements to a "regular" glass shop on the corner. He cut the class first, then had to send it to another shop (out of state) to have it tempered. The whole process took about a week. Like I said earlier... love being able to look out. And I would imagine most glass shops have the Butyl tape. Easy-peezy job for sure.

[Tm98]

No problem. Thanks Charby and Alpine.

[koko]

We put in an Edwin entrance door window. We chose this over just changing out the glass because the window opens (however, it doesn't have a screen). When the door is closed, the screen door is its screen, so besides a nice view there's extra ventilation.

[itat]

Desert125 posted a great list. I've done a lot of those myself.

Instead of a surge protector, I'd suggest a Progressive Industries EMS. I have a Viair 400P 12V air compressor rather than a pancake compressor so I can use it without a 120VAC power source. I recommend a 50' hybrid air hose rather than the coiled hose that comes with the Viair.