Raptor 384PK improvements.

[keef95]

Hello all! I purchased my 2014 Raptor 384PK used about 16 months ago. Although generally happy with this trailer, there were a few deficiencies I wanted to address. The laundry list is as follows:

#1 was tires. I had the opportunity to see a 5th wheel that had blown a 10 ply unbeknownst to the owner for a few miles and the destruction was staggering. I installed Sailun S637 G-rated tires and tire pressure/temp monitors and couldn't be happier. 5,000 miles and no sign of wear on these beasts. Between the display on my Ram 3500 DRW and the TST TM-510 on the trailer, I never wonder what's going on back there.

#2 was the skirt issues. In the final windy leg of a 2000 mile trip to and from northern Idaho, I was unsure if my 5th wheel was going to make it home in one piece. Between the substandard bracing and constantly loosening self tapping screws on the flairs, the trailer was tearing itself apart. I replaced every screw on the flairs with stainless Allen head, nylocks and washers. Next I built braces out of steel channel, welded them into place and screwed the skirting to them. Solid!

#3 was the junk couch that came in this RV. The first owner had ordered it with some "leather package" with what had to be the most uncomfortable sofa I'd ever sat in. I wasn't going to pay the $2100 plus $1000 shipping my local dealer wanted for the OEM so I was patient and stumbled into an awesome reclining, zero clearance sofa right next to my business for less than $700. It's an AC Pacific Carson. It's about 10" narrower than the space but this is great because I can store TV trays, decor pillows and blankets between the sofa and the walls of the slide.

#4 is the Cummins AC-30 automatic generator controller. If you're handy, it's a pretty easy install. This controller will start the GenSet if voltage drops below a certain value, will top off batteries before quiet time at the park and even fire up the gen to run the AC if you desire. Definately worth the time and money!

#5...TV upgrade. Winegard Trav'ler HD dish for DirecTv, Genie DVR in the master bedroom and wireless Genies for the living room and garage TVs. Samsung Blu-Ray players in the master and living room. Upgraded from a 22" to 32" Visio in the garage as well. I put the DVR in the master bedroom so I could take it home, plug it in in my spare bedroom and fill the DVR with movies. I opted to just add the DVR and wireless Genies to my home account so although I don't get my local network programming on the road, it costs $20 more a month instead of a $100 a month RV account. All the power supplies and wiring are neatly mounted behind the fireplace.

#6 isn't really an upgrade but the trailer came with a white thermostat even though everything else was black. Bought the same model in black and sold my white one on eBay for the same money...

[dcg9381]

nice! Tire upgrade was the first thing done to ours.. And yea, factory skirting attachments - mainly the screws.. With oem unbalanced tires, ours started backing out in the first 20 miles.

[keef95]

Originally Posted by dcg9381

nice! Tire upgrade was the first thing done to ours.. And yea, factory skirting attachments - mainly the screws.. With oem unbalanced tires, ours started backing out in the first 20 miles.

Thanks!...Mine had just bent and puny aluminum channel for braces. This steel channel will break your hand if you hit it.

[cardinal96ss]

Very nice. Thanks. I like the skirt improvement and the wife really likes the sofa. Both might be in our future.

[keef95]

Originally Posted by cardinal96ss

Very nice. Thanks. I like the skirt improvement and the wife really likes the sofa. Both might be in our future.

If I recall correctly the slide is 96" wide and the sofa is 85" or 86" wide. It's about 35" deep and the top of the back behind the cushions is low enough that it fits below the valences for the blinds... It was a lucky find. I was losing hope. haha

[J-Dub34]

Just bought a new Carbon 357 and have to agree about the skirting. Had them tighten about 8 screws before I left the lot and have done a bunch more since I got home this weekend. I like the nylock nut and stainless screw idea. Ironically, the stock couch of the Carbon is very similar to the one you purchased.

[cw3jason]

Originally Posted by J-Dub34

Just bought a new Carbon 357 and have to agree about the skirting. Had them tighten about 8 screws before I left the lot and have done a bunch more since I got home this weekend. I like the nylock nut and stainless screw idea. Ironically, the stock couch of the Carbon is very similar to the one you purchased.

Use these
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Crown-Bol...3131/202707065

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by cw3jason

Use these
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Crown-Bol...3131/202707065

The "only potential problem" using speed nuts (as opposed to nylocks) is the possibility of crushing/cracking the plastic fender skirt. With speed nuts, you still have to maintain a "tightness" on the speed nut (squeezing the plastic fender skirt) while with nylocks, they will not loosen, even if they are "only barely snugged" against the plastic fender skirt. I know it's a "minor issue" but if you've got cracked or damaged screw holes in your fender skirt, anything you can do to prevent "tightening them down, tighter" will help protect them from further damage.

[MontanaMike]

Originally Posted by keef95

#4 is the Cummins AC-30 automatic generator controller. If you're handy, it's a pretty easy install. This controller will start the GenSet if voltage drops below a certain value, will top off batteries before quiet time at the park and even fire up the gen to run the AC if you desire. Definately worth the time and money!

This I want! Where did you get it and, if you don't mind me asking, how much was it?

[canesfan]

Originally Posted by MontanaMike

This I want! Where did you get it and, if you don't mind me asking, how much was it?

I had this bookmarked from awhile ago. Here's one source I found
http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/o...tart-ec30w.htm

Oops, sorry, not the same model. Here's the one he has
http://www.nooutage.com/018-02030.htm

[keef95]

Originally Posted by MontanaMike

This I want! Where did you get it and, if you don't mind me asking, how much was it?

I'll have to look but I think it was a few hundred. If you go forward, the hardest thing to find was the pigtail/plug that doesn't come with the controller. I have an extra I'll sell cheap.

[MontanaMike]

Originally Posted by keef95

I'll have to look but I think it was a few hundred. If you go forward, the hardest thing to find was the pigtail/plug that doesn't come with the controller. I have an extra I'll sell cheap.

Thanks! I'll keep that in mind.