3 months worth of upgrades, and I'm just about done!

[glock35ipsc]

I brough home my 2017 Springdale Mini 1750RD on Dec 30th. I've been camping in a 1994 Dutchmen pop-up for awhile and decided it was time to upgrade. It wasn't really so much a "mid-life crisis" purchase, as it is a "well, I've been divorced for 2 years now, so it's ME TIME!!" purchase.

Completed so far:

- 300Ah LiFePO4 with low temp charging protection
- Insulated battery box with heat pad and programmable thermostat (35°-38° delta T)
- 3500W inverter
- Two Victron 100|30 charge controllers
- 400W of solar on the roof
- 320W of portable/folding solar with plug installed on left side of camper to connect
- Upgraded OE power center to lithium compatible charger
- Li-Time shunt/battery monitor
- Removed 30A cord, replaced mouse hole cover with 30A twist lock receptacle
- Added twist lock plug to OE cord, cord is now stored under center rear dinette seat
- Automatic transfer switch installed and wired with the inverter/battery as the default
- Installed three each 12v outlet/USB connection sets by dinette and front bed
- Installed 12VDC to 19VDC voltage converter to power the TV
- Replaced thermostat with a non-programable heat-only digital thermostat
- Made shelves for the cabinets
- Removed sink access cover from cabinet under the kitchen sink, made a spice caddy
- Cut out and made a door to access storage under the front bed
- Replaced the universal CH751 locks on the outside storage doors with tubular cam locks
- Swapped out single 20# propane tank for a dual 20# tank setup with auto changeover, plus cover
- Removed rear table, made an extra cushion and platform, now using it as a couch
- Wireless backup camera
- Stinky slinky carrier tube mounted under frame
- Installed heavy duty bumper support brackets
- Fastway e2 weight distribution hitch
- Beech Lane wireless leveling system
- New breakaway kit with battery
- Powered tongue jack

Still left to do:
- Build and install a storage box on the tongue for the hitch components
- Replace fridge with a 12VDC unit (I do have a 12V cooler-style fridge I'll continue using to have the extra space)
- Install mounting hardware on right outside wall for griddle
- Reroute and add a quick disconnect to old fridge LP connection for the griddle
- Convert awning from pull-style manual to powered
- Add more solar to roof, 400W or 800W worth

[glock35ipsc]

A better pic of the whole package.

[dutchmensport]

Wow! That's a lot of work and still have more to go! When you get everything done to your satisfaction, you can REALLY enjoy your "new" camper!

Almost always, what appears to be set-backs in life, is really God's way of untying those things that actually strangle hold us and keep us from moving forward to freeing us up so we can have new experiences or enjoyments in our lives.

The one time I got fired from my job turned out to be the best thing that could have ever happened to me. Had I not been fired, I would have remained miserable for a long time. Getting fired set me free and I eventually ended up in a job (and retired from it), something that I absolutely enjoyed and loved doing ... and paid much more than what I was getting before.

So, set-backs are really steps to freedom to become and do what you always wanted to do or become. It sounds like you are quit talented with your hands, have the ability and skill to fix, patch, repair, everything from carpentry to electrical. Follow your passion! It will lead on onward!

Happy camping!

[glock35ipsc]

Originally Posted by dutchmensport

It sounds like you are quit talented with your hands, have the ability and skill to fix, patch, repair, everything from carpentry to electrical. Follow your passion! It will lead on onward!

Happy camping!

Thanks! In my younger years I worked for a company called Vanworks here in Fort Collins, CO. We built custom pickups and conversion vans. I worked in the van shop and did much of the interior design for new model years, and worked in all stages of production in my 10 years there. Super fun work, and definitely learned a lot of skills that carry over.

I love my free time, it's mine to do whatever I want to with it. As long as there is water close by, he doesn't care where we camp.

[JRTJH]

That's quite the extensive list of upgrades and additions... My only recommendation would be that you keep the trailer payload in mind as you add more "things" to the mix... The GVWR is 4400 pounds and the "empty shipping weight with no options (like spare tire, battery, etc) was 3299. so a max of 1101 to start, and that's before the dealer added propane to that single tank.

Adding a lot of "extras" with a limited payload is a great way to overload those two "china bombs" on each end of that single axle.....

[glock35ipsc]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

That's quite the extensive list of upgrades and additions... My only recommendation would be that you keep the trailer payload in mind as you add more "things" to the mix... The GVWR is 4400 pounds and the "empty shipping weight with no options (like spare tire, battery, etc) was 3299. so a max of 1101 to start, and that's before the dealer added propane to that single tank.

Adding a lot of "extras" with a limited payload is a great way to overload those two "china bombs" on each end of that single axle.....

Oh yes, I'm keeping weight in mind with everything I do. Including swapping the China bombs for Goodyears.

[foldbak]

Well done, if you ever get board come on down to Ca. I got some projects to do.

[LadyCPA]

You do some really great work!

[CBears]

Holy cow! Very cool and a lot of work!

[tallen]

Nice job, It feels great to get all that done how you want it and to know it was done right!!.

[jxnbbl]

Very Nice!