Favorite Mod Under $100

[WILDRTEXAS]

Originally Posted by Jim Clark

Attachment 33853 Find in cheap tool section at Pepboy's

Attachment 33854 Remove Handle and pocket clip, slide into each other

Attachment 33855 Place on Hitch

Paint the top orange if you wish.

Thanks Jim

Super Idea!

[page.crow]

Cork-board on the side-wall next to the fridge in my 31 Soveriegn. I can post pictures from previous parties, leave notes for my party friends, just about anything.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Makes cleaning the fans a lot easier.....


FanTastic Vent - Product - Model 6600

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, these pictures show my clock mounted.

(1.) Before my remodel.

(2.) After my remodel.

(3.) Picture hanger that I used.

(4.) Adapter plate I made to connect mating half of picture hanger to clock.

[nickcrowhurst]

These pictures show the bug-proof hatch I've fitted to cover a hole I've cut through the bulkhead from the bathroom into the refrigerator compartment. Today's puzzler: why??
Nick.

[nickcrowhurst]

No takers, so here's a clue: The refrigerator compartment has an access door to the outside world. Thus my hatch gives access to the bathroom from the outside world. Now how could that be useful?
Nick.

[Jezibels]

Originally Posted by nickcrowhurst

No takers, so here's a clue: The refrigerator compartment has an access door to the outside world. Thus my hatch gives access to the bathroom from the outside world. Now how could that be useful?
Nick.

To pass a hose thru to rinse out the commode thus rinsing the black tank too?

[B4WEDI]

How about an outside shower ?

[blmitch5]

Here is a spice rack I got from Ikea for $12.99 I also changed the faucet for for $59.99! I love Ikea!

[SilverRanger]

I love this thread. Thanks for bumping it back up with your excellent new mod, Nick.

Those of who use our Airstreams a lot have likely been there... someplace where it's hot as heck and there's no adequate electrical service. During our travels, many times we are invited, or deviate from the course, to visit friends and relatives who don't understand the importance of 30 amps. Since it happens often, I decided to develop Plan B - a window air conditioner for the rear escape window. I did this without drilling a single hole, or doing any modifications to the Bambi.

- I bought a 8,000 BTU window unit from a thrift shop for $40 (nearly new, with all packaging, paperwork and remote control, etc.) The rear window/escape hatch of the Bambi isn't intended to be used as a window, so it has no screen. There is, however, a nice 1/4" groove/slot along the inside edge of the frame.

- I then took a sheet of 3/16" plastic and cut it out so it fit perfectly inside of this slot. I did this by taping a sheet of wrapping paper on the window frame, and tracing it. Then I transferred it to the sheet of plastic.

- I cut out an opening in the plastic sheet for the AC unit (12" x 18", if I recall) I used an adhesive foam gasket (weather stripping) to make a tight seal around the AC unit.

- There is also a nice slot, approx. an inch and a half wide, on the inside of the window frame. I fashioned two pieces of wood (braces) to fit at the top and bottom of the opening to be used as support for the AC. I cut notches in the bottom brace to allow for the two window latches.

- To support the braces, I cut down the legs of a shelving unit that had adjustable feet on the bottom. This allowed adjustment of the supports so they would fit snugly between the braces for vertical support. (I hope the pictures help clarify this somewhat inadequate explanation)

- The AC slides in the opening from inside the Airstream. I can set it up, start to finish, in under 10 minutes.

NOTES: If we end up someplace without 30 amp, the unit only draws about 7 amps on full blast. Or, if there's no electric at all, I can easily run the AC from the Honda EU2000i generator. I have done trial runs on some hot days, and the 8,000 BTU window unit cools as effectively as the 13,500 BTU heat pump on the roof, and is much quieter. It takes up about the same space and weight as the generator. I left it in during a torrential rain storm, and no leaks. There is a tiny hole in the outside groove that allows any water that may accumulate to drain.

What is not shown is that I put a Velcro strip around the inside of the AC opening in the plastic sheet, on which I mounted a screen if cross ventilation is needed when the AC isn't installed.
Including the AC, the whole thing cost about $55.

Pictures:
1. Shows the wooden braces and vertical supports.
2. Shows the plastic shroud inserted in the opening.
3. The unit from the outside. The pole supporting the window was temporary. I let the window rest on the top of the AC on a foam block. That way, it shields the unit and opening from weather.
4. A shot from the inside while operating.. Yep, those are flamingos on the pillow cases.

[boondockdad]

Originally Posted by TBRich

While we were buying plastic tubing, we got a 2' piece of 1/2" tubing to slip over the end of the AC condensation drain tube in the wheel well forward of the tire on the street side...we didn't like it dripping onto the tire (or onto the tire covers when we are out). We made it long enough to direct the condensation to the ground and away from the tire... It's just held on with tension... We used a small piece of old panty hose pulled tight over the end of the tubing, held in place with an ajdustbale hose clamp to keep insects from finding their way up the tube and possibly clogging it... We remove the tube during towing, of course... part of the reason we made it longer than it needs to be is so that we will remember to remove it before towing! It's hard to not notice...(the tube could be spray painted a bright color so it's more visible, too).

I gotta tell ya, this is great mod. I wish we had it while at a park in FL last year. Weekend was HOT & HUMID like a sauna. Needless to say A/C ran nonstop... because the way the concrete slab pitched, and there was so much condensate, the water made a course right under the trailer and across the patio @ the entry door. Very messy.
That'll never happen again.. thanks!

[nickcrowhurst]

Originally Posted by Jezibels

To pass a hose thru to rinse out the commode thus rinsing the black tank too?

Spot on! Jezibels has it, and I also like the outside shower idea. The hatch was $7, made by RV accessories, part # S-27-14-A, an electrical cable hatch. The local mobile home stores stock them here in FL. I cut off the back part of the hatch box.
Nick.

[DreamStreamr]

1. A kitchen drawer beside sink, where factory didn't use space at all -- cost $30 for materials, pull, and drawer slides.
2. Headboard to pad and insulate my arm from the trailer's wall -- cost $20 for camping pad and used leftover matching upholstery fabric.
3. A great looking stainless steel spring hold-open (from West Marine) for the over-fridge storage area -- cost $10.
4. Replaced door latch lever this great latch -- cost $70.
5. Simple electronic thermostat to replace stupid o.e.m. one -- cost $20.

All our improvements are on our website here.

We're still adding changes, having a lot of fun doing it. This thread is so great! Lots of new ideas for us to consider.

Regards,
Jim

[hshovic]

I put rope lights on the front and back cabinets. Great indirect mood lighting.
About $80/strand.

[DreamStreamr]

Hank,
rope lights over roof lockers look great! did you pull 110vac up there to power these? How'd you get the power up there?

[hshovic]

These are 12V. I snuck power up from the CD player in the front, and from the reading lights in the back through holes I drilled in the cabinets. I put switches in each cabinet. They don't show. I had to mount a thin wood trim in front of them to prevent seeing the direct lights.

I got them from Imtra marine products. Got 12 feet total, conncectors, end caps, and clear mounting track (essential for easy mounting).

[DreamStreamr]

Hank,
Great description, cool installation. And cooler look!

Jim

[hshovic]

Had a hitchholder welded on the frame. Got the idea from a Blue Beret article.
Keeps it out of the way, and can be locked (had a hole drilled in it). Cost about $40.

[Bird's Nest]

OXO - Candela Tooli (2 set) - blue/green

I found a set of these at Ross. They were around $13 which I thought was too much at the time but I had to have them for my CCD. Now that I see their retail price, I do not feel so bad.

We set one in the bath and one on the kitchen counter each night. They give off just enough light to navigate without being annoying.

They are really fun too.

They also come in some rather sophisticated styles.

[Boondocker]

Sounds goofy, but I found replacing one of the four light bulbs in the over head light fixture with a lower intensity LED light makes for great night lights. The power draw is negligible and one in the restroom provides ample middle of the night illumination.