2015 22' Sport - We Made Some Changes

[TandT]

I just reread and now understand you did move the base, what did you do about the factory holes after moving it. How big of holes does it leave? Is there anything under the floor that is a danger of drilling into?

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by Frank&Mike

Ok, now I'm thinking we better reconsider the shades.

I think the shades m.hony is talking about are different than the Oceanair ones you mentioned earlier. You're talking about the spring-loaded ones that roll up into a tube like you probably had on some of the windows in your Ocean Breeze once upon a time, right? People complain about those when they age, too, and they ain't cheap! Still, I think it's a better solution than mini-blinds in a trailer with curved walls.

[Frank&Mike]

Originally Posted by TandT

I just reread and now understand you did move the base, what did you do about the factory holes after moving it. How big of holes does it leave? Is there anything under the floor that is a danger of drilling into?

The factory holes that remain exposed are approximately the size of a 11/64 drill bit. I filled the holes with Liquid Nails and then touched them up with a black felt tip marker. The laminate flooring has black in it so it just blended in with the flooring (see attached photo of the laminate flooring). Next time we bring the Airstream home from storage I'll take a couple photos of the "after holes" with liquid nails and felt tip marker cover up.

[Frank&Mike]

Originally Posted by Cannonball

Just be aware that the rear of the shelf gets slightly warm from the fridge. Enough to make a loaf of bread sweat.


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

Thank you for telling me about this warming situation. I'll have to check that out next time we're camping and come up with a solution to allow ventilation.

[TandT]

Did you butt up the base to the curb side dinette is my question

[Frank&Mike]

Originally Posted by TandT

Did you butt up the base to the curb side dinette is my question

Correct, the circular base (upon which the table leg sits on) is butted up to and touching the dinette.

[mrmercury49]

We also have made some changes to our 2014 22' FB SPORT.

1. Starting at the hitch, a new 4500# Husky electric jack.

2. My wife also strongly disliked the sink so we replaced it with a new 18" round sink w/a new faucet. I also moved the storage bulkhead back and gained a couple cubic ft of storage under the sink.

3. While trying to watch TV in bed with the AC on(we live in Florida), we couldn't see the TV because of the plastic bulkhead and privacy curtain or hear because of the AC (loud). Both were removed and a second TV w/sound bar was added over the bed. With the curtain and bulkhead gone, the trailer seems much roomier. The galley bulkhead was replaced with a stronger version to mount the TV.

4. Lastly we added a new porch light.

5. Would anyone like to by a sink?

[Frank&Mike]

Originally Posted by mrmercury49

We also have made some changes to our 2014 22' FB SPORT.

You are actually the inspiration to me to jump in and start making some changes. Now if I could only get brave enough to attempt the sink modification.

[papegardens]

We have a 2016 22' FB Sport purchased 6/22/15. ghamr, thx for the piano hinge idea for the storage area under the bed, we'll do that soon! Frank&Mike I'll be watching your progress, the sink isn't my favorite. Since the lower blind clips are at the same level as the dinette's back cushions I am concerned that we'll eventually find a hole in the leather. The accordian 'shower curtain' is also not a favorite. We added small self-stick plastic bumpers to the bathroom mirror, door, and closet door handles to prevent damage to the finishes. We're calling Jackson Center tomorrow to schedule an appointment in the next couple of weeks, we want to tour the plant but after travelling 9K miles during the past month it'll also be due for a brake packing; a few interior rivets have popped off, the entry door needs an adjustment, and a few screws are missing in the divider panel by the sink. And another thing learned when I dropped a quart of milk: the lower cabinets and shower are not caulked (we parked on a slope to clean). Can any of you provide any advice or info regarding the service JC appointment and the trip we'll be making from TX to OH?

[papegardens]

Darned.... after looking at the bedframe installing a piano hinge top door would require building a framed opening, and lifting the mattress for access will quickly cause blind damage on both ends. Guess we'll continue to use the underbed storage for little used items and consider accessing them a 'floor exercise'.

[Frank&Mike]

Brought the Airstream from storage to the house this evening to pack for this weekend's trip. The outside storage lock decided to freeze up. So ... no choice but to enter from the underneath side of the bed to access all the electric cables, etc. This wasn't the most opportune time to start the "bed lift" mod but if I'm going to move the mattress and unscrew the base of the bed, why not go all the way? Turns out that the bed frame is already in two pieces which makes the project much simpler than I anticipated. NOTE however that it was necessary to cut 1/2 inch off each side of the bed frame to enable the frame to lift and lower without scraping the interior walls. I was able to complete the project in a little over 3 hours (including a 1/2 hour round trip to H Depot to purchase a continuous 72 inch hinge). So if you're considering this mod it's actually pretty simple. The only thing remaining is to purchase a couple hydraulic lifts which will make lifting the mattress easier and will enable the mattress to stay in the upright position when accessing the "under bed" storage. So a few photos of the project ... from start to finish.

[Frank&Mike]

Originally Posted by TandT

Did you butt up the base to the curb side dinette is my question

I took a photo of the table base this evening to show where the table base butts up to the curbside dinette. Hope this helps give a better representation of its new position.

[Frank&Mike]

Thought I would share a couple more photos I took this evening showing how much additional space the living area has as a result of repositioning the table base. Therefore allowing a nice little lounge area as well.

[Frank&Mike]

Originally Posted by papegardens

Darned.... after looking at the bedframe installing a piano hinge top door would require building a framed opening, and lifting the mattress for access will quickly cause blind damage on both ends. Guess we'll continue to use the underbed storage for little used items and consider accessing them a 'floor exercise'.

Actually no, all that you anticipated (I was anticipating the same) is not necessary. The only thing you have to do is cut approximately 1/2 inch off of each side of the straight edges (only up to the point where the 2 separate bed segments join). It's very simple. Go for it.

[Yachthalo]

Just replaced the cute sink with one that works in our 2016 22FB. Used an IKEA rectangular one with integral drainboard.

I can't see attached thumbnails in this or other posts. Any idea why?

[Frank&Mike]

As of today, the modification to the front bed (to install 2 gas struts allowing the bed to raise for easy access to the "under bed storage") is completed. Now we can easily access the storage area without having to get on our knees and stick half of our body into the storage compartment to access things. I think this will turn out to be one of the best modifications we've made to our 22' Sport.

[stsammy]

Modification looks great. I love the idea of being able to easily inspect the tank & fittings there, too.

Admittedly, only just recently purchased, I'm nervous to modify, but that bed lift looks like a ridiculously easy mod with huge benefit.

Because we store our trailer at an RV lot (with no space at our place in the heart of the city), we'll probably coordinate a mod like that with when we winterize for the year. I'll let you know come Canadian thanksgiving if we bite the bullet.....

[Frank&Mike]

Originally Posted by stsammy

Modification looks great. I love the idea of being able to easily inspect the tank & fittings there, too.

Admittedly, only just recently purchased, I'm nervous to modify, but that bed lift looks like a ridiculously easy mod with huge benefit.

Because we store our trailer at an RV lot (with no space at our place in the heart of the city), we'll probably coordinate a mod like that with when we winterize for the year. I'll let you know come Canadian thanksgiving if we bite the bullet.....

Thank you for the positive feedback. I can understand your apprehension to modify and I share the same concerns. It turns out that the bed lift is an easy modification. Like you, we cannot store our Airstream at home because of HOA restrictions. So our modifications have taken place over the course of a couple days scattered here and there ... either in preparation for upcoming camp trips or after returning home from camp trips.

[ghamr]

You're welcome!

[Frank&Mike]

Originally Posted by ghamr

You're welcome!

Thank you for your thread which provided the motivation to complete the bed modification.