Favorite Mod Under $100

[Greenjeans]

LED motion sensor bathroom light. Beams MB720A.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by LAWBC

Bob where do you find the adapter to your gen I have the same and have been looking for something to replace my " dog bone adapter " which is a pain to keep on when the unit is running .

Hi, I bought it off of E-bay, but they discontinued making them because people were using them in their house on outlets with dual purpose and starting fires. If I could find another one, I would buy it for a spare.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, partly because my tongue jack was going up by-it's-self, I bought and installed a battery disconnect switch. $13.00

[Dennis C]

I've done quite a few little mods on the Airstream that cost me less than $100. My two favorites are:

• Adding a USB port on the side of the bed. It has USB-A and USB-C and can be accessed from the bed or the dinette.
• A custom shelf that fits into the top of a dresser drawer next to the bed, creating a space to put a cup of coffee, a phone, etc. This shelf was made from scrap wood that was leftover after having some work done in our house.

I've added lots of storage organizers and hooks and such, which are also nice little mods.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, my universal tongue jack cover came today. It looks like it is well made and it's a bit too large, but for $12.50 I'm OK with that.

[Jim & Susan]

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, my universal tongue jack cover came today. It looks like it is well made and it's a bit too large, but for $12.50 I'm OK with that.

You need to get one these for the front of that cover.


Jim

[lewishw]

Recall a few people talking about humping the clunky and heavy 50 amp cord around for their trailers that can take 50 amp service. If you’re running only 1 a/c or just fans and charging batteries, here’s a daisy. About $25 on Amazon.

[switz]

We have an adapter like that, but it has only parallel blades to plug into for the extension cord. That adapter rating is limited to 15 amps.

Grabbing a 25' 14 gage (rated 15 amps) extension cord will drop voltage during the inrush of current to start an A/C that could cause a failure in the compressor over time.

I suggest finding an adapter rated for 20 amps (one blade is perpendicular to the other) and carry a #10 wire (rated 30 amps) extension cord (the same as the power cords for the trailer power cord. There is then much less voltage caused from on wire size on start up of the air conditioner.

[Wazbro]

Originally Posted by switz

We have an adapter like that, but it has only parallel blades to plug into for the extension cord. That adapter rating is limited to 15 amps.

Grabbing a 25' 14 gage (rated 15 amps) extension cord will drop voltage during the inrush of current to start an A/C that could cause a failure in the compressor over time.

I suggest finding an adapter rated for 20 amps (one blade is perpendicular to the other) and carry a #10 wire (rated 30 amps) extension cord (the same as the power cords for the trailer power cord. There is then much less voltage caused from on wire size on start up of the air conditioner.

I'd say he should get one rated for 30 amps then a normal 30 amp RV extension cord and 30 to 20 or 15 amp adapter to plug into outlet. The 30 amp extension cord could also be used with the 50 amp cord and a dogbone to 30 amp when needed for extra distance.

[AKNate]

Originally Posted by switz

We have an adapter like that, but it has only parallel blades to plug into for the extension cord. That adapter rating is limited to 15 amps.

Grabbing a 25' 14 gage (rated 15 amps) extension cord will drop voltage during the inrush of current to start an A/C that could cause a failure in the compressor over time.

I suggest finding an adapter rated for 20 amps (one blade is perpendicular to the other) and carry a #10 wire (rated 30 amps) extension cord (the same as the power cords for the trailer power cord. There is then much less voltage caused from on wire size on start up of the air conditioner.

We use that same type adapter, but use it with a Monster brand extension cord we got at Ace Hardware that is 10 AWG, but still has standard NEMA 5-15 plugs. You can plug it in to any 15A outlet, but don’t get the voltage drop you get with cheap 14 AWG cords.

[loechli]

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, we don't want our little dog Boo-Boo to get into our bedroom, mess up the carpet, get stepped on, or whatever else he might think of. We have three orange cones for roadside repairs or emergencies and have been using them to block Boo-Boo from getting into our bedroom. My wife asked me to make a child gate or something like one. I use a child gate, cut in half, for use in our house. Low enough to step over and yet high enough to keep him out. With my creative thinking, I was able to buy what I needed and just install it. I bought an expanding window screen and four screen brackets. I stuck the brackets to the walls with 3-M two sided tape. We just got home from another trip yesterday so it will be a while before it gets the real test. Cost was was under $10.00 for the screen and two packs of screen brackets. [I had the tape]

(1.) Boo-Boo on kitchen rug with orange cones in the backround.

(2.) Screen brackets stuck on curb side wall.

(3.) Screen brackets stuck on street side wall.

(4.) Screen expanded and in place. View from inside of bedroom.

(5.) View of screen from hall way entering our bedroom.

(6.) Screen removed and collapsed.

Where did you find your adjustable screen and brackets?

[switz]

Using an adapter to plug a 30 amp cord into a 50 amp outlet is not wise as the #10 wires are rated for 30 amps. If there is a high power draw issue, the wires could short and start a fire on the ground or anywhere along the cord.

Plugging a 50 amp cord into a 30 amp power outlet with an adapter is safe as the #6 wires are rated 50 amps

[oldenavy]

Last Winter, I added some shelves in the closet and plate/bowl storage in the overhead cabinet. This winter, I'll work on cup/glass storage.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by loechli

Where did you find your adjustable screen and brackets?

Hi, they are a stock item at Lowes in the screen department. These are made to be used in windows without screens. Lift the window, insert expandable screen, open to fit sides of the opening, lower window onto expandable screen. I didn't know that. I just knew that I could make them work in my trailer.

[lewishw]

Originally Posted by switz

Using an adapter to plug a 30 amp cord into a 50 amp outlet is not wise as the #10 wires are rated for 30 amps. If there is a high power draw issue, the wires could short and start a fire on the ground or anywhere along the cord.

Plugging a 50 amp cord into a 30 amp power outlet with an adapter is safe as the #6 wires are rated 50 amps

This is a valid point. I forgot to mention that it’s only used when we do not plan on using both a/c units or any a/c at all. Lots of our trips we don’t need them so leaving the 50 amp cord home is nice.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, as WC Fields would say; Ahh it's too hot, ahh it's too cold, ahh it's too medium. I like to know what my shower water's temp is. At home, unfortunetly, my house was built with Delta faucets and they are just too touchy. A little to the left and you will get burned. A little bit to the right and you will freeze to death. So I found, and bought a "Shower Thermometer" from Amazon for about $18.00. It show the water temp as the water flows through it. Blue is too cold, green is just right, and red is too hot. I found, that for me, I like it anywhere from 98 degrees to 102 degrees.

I like it so well that I bought anouther one for my trailer. As I was un-winterizing my trailer today, I decide to install my new "Shower Thermometer" and give it a test run. [just a test, not a shower] I think it will be just as great as the one in my house.

Note: I had water heater concerns today, but I finally got it fixed.

[Airtandem]

Bob; How much water is “wasted” from turning on to get to temp ? Mine takes long time as the shower is on opposite side from water heater. I’ll have to get one to find out.

[Minno]

We had the dreaded very loud air conditioner issue. Our air conditioner is a Penguin 15,000BTU nonducted. It rattled and was so loud we could not talk without raising our voices significantly inside the trailer. So we decided to experiment with adding 1/8 inch thick duct insulation tape to the inside of the plenum area on the plenum and the ceiling. The tape cost us less than $20, so we figured we didn't have much to lose, literally. It seems to have worked to quiet the rattle and the noise down considerably. Couldn't tell you what the actual noise reduction is, but we can now converse in normal voice tones, and sleep much more comfortably.


Kay

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by Airtandem

Bob; How much water is “wasted” from turning on to get to temp ? Mine takes long time as the shower is on opposite side from water heater. I’ll have to get one to find out.

Hi, My water heater is mounted right under my shower seat. The bathroom faucet and shower valve are very close to my water heater. Straight across the isle is my kitchen sink. I get hot water very fast from all faucets in my trailer.