Serenity Modifications

[Msmoto]

For those who are the do it yourself types, fixer uppers or whatever, I have posted a series of photos on multiple modifications to my 2015 Serenity...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f514...ns-128265.html

[lsbrodsky]

Tommie,

You impress the hell out of me! I hope I can meet you and your Serenity at one of the Unit 21 events next year.
Larry

[Msmoto]

Thank you for your comment. I enjoy playing with things like this.

And, how interesting you are in New Bern. I may be coming down that way with the Airstream in the next month or so to visit a friend Where is the best (for the money) RV park near New Bern?

[J. Morgan]

I opened the link, it took me to a twelve year old thread on using propane while driving....


1/2 Ton 4WD Truck, 72 Sovereign Hensley Arrow

[Rocinante]

Same here, and I don't want to have that discussion again, haha.

However, when I copy/pasted your stated URL into my browser, it worked fine. A very interesting set of mods. Who knew, for example, that the sub-woofer even had controls? I wonder what happens to it when you pack it with foam?

Anyhow, let's see if this works: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f514...ns-128265.html

Nope, it's still busted from the AirForums app. Nevertheless, the link works if you paste it into your browser.

[lsbrodsky]

Tommie,

The New Bern KOA is a great campground. Unit 21 had a rally there this year. I also have courtesy parking and you are welcome to stay here for a couple of days, 30 amp electric and water.
Larry

[Msmoto]

Thanks, Larry, once I firm up a date I will let you know. Probably I would do the KOA as my stay could be more than a night or two.

Re: The subwoofer.... Packing the interior tightens it up. Before it was so bad it was best turned off. Most likely I will replace it with some type of quality unit.

[Msmoto]

Yup, for sure.. I forgot a few things........ I will grab a photo of the slide out tray under the sink and the shelf and automatic lighting in the main closet. Very convenient, lights come on both lower and upper closet when the right hand door is opened.

[Msmoto]

OK, first, the main closet has an LED strip for the shelf area. Both main and upper lights are controlled by the switch which turns the lights on when the door is opened. Also, note the dark gray closed cell foam piece which is wedged in between the clothes rod and the shelf during travel, preventing hangers from jumping off the rod.

Alana_Mods_Phase_III_11.21.14 by Fantinesvoice.com, on Flickr

The switch, with evidence of my first trial...LOL

Alana_Mods_Phase_III_11.21.14-2 by Fantinesvoice.com, on Flickr

And, the pull out shelf...from Costco, under the sink...makes the space much more user friendly. Some cutting of the back of the cabinet is necessary, but relatively easy to do.

Alana_Mods_Phase_III_11.21.14-3 by Fantinesvoice.com, on Flickr

And, for awhile at least, this concludes the photos..... hope this thread has given some folks ideas or stimulated doing some "fixing' up" of their Airstream.

[Msmoto]

Well, I have now replaced the original wheels/tires, added an Oxygenics shower head, and a King Jack Antenna...which is phenomenal....picks up more from inside my garage than my house antenna does on the roof.

Photos:
Serenity_Mods_06.07.15 by Tommie Lauer, on Flickr

Outside, the King Jack between the Fantastic Fan and front skylight:
Serenity_Mods_06.07.15-3 by Tommie Lauer, on Flickr

And the signal strength meter, direction finder, inside. One simply rotates the antenna until the LEDs show the best signal.
Serenity_Mods_06.07.15-2 by Tommie Lauer, on Flickr

And the wheels from Trailer Tires and Wheels - Steel & Aluminum Trailer Wheels, Bias & Radial Trailer Tires
On the Road 05.19.15-3 by Tommie Lauer, on Flickr

[BoldAdventure]

Those are stylish wheels.

[Skee75]

Nice. Was the King Jack antenna hard to install? I'm very dissatisfied with my stock winegard..

[Msmoto]

FYI
I started with the omnidirectional antenna supplied as original equipment, located between the front Fantastic Fan and the main skylight.. Here is what I did:
1) Remove #4 fuse
2) Remove the booster panel near the main TV, replace with the supplied item from King. It looks identical, polarity on mine was identical, so it goes in easily.
3) Remove the OE antenna, cutting sealant and unscrewing bolts. Push coax back through hole and out of the way.
4) Drill a 1/4" hole from the top, through the existing hole from the OE antenna, lining up with the center of this hole.
5) Using a hole saw, 2 1/4" carefully drill the hole through the roof of the trailer. This is difficult as there is no pilot hole, only the large hole from the oE antenna. A diamond tip hole saw may work best.
6) From inside, using the predrilled hole, cut 2 1/4" interior hole. Add hole for wiring as shown on diagram. I also added a hole in roof to run coax through.
7) Mount antenna, as per instructions properly sealing using semi self leveling sealant.
8) Replace fuse, test system

Took me about three hours, but I am slow up and down the ladder...LOL

[Msmoto]

Because of the existing hole from the original omni directional antenna, one of the difficult issues in cutting the 2 1/4” hole in the exterior skin is in getting the hole saw to actually stay on track. If you have used a hole saw a lot, you know how they will want to “walk” unless a pilot hole is present. So, my suggestion, if possible, rivet a small piece of aluminum about 1 1/2 “ square over the original hole in the exterior roof. This will allow drilling a pilot hole in the riveted piece and prevent all the “walking” without a pilot hole.

[Skee75]

You're a rock star.
Thanks for the help.

[DoublTrouble]

+1 for sure.
As a relative newbie, I can't even think about putting a drill to my roof!

[Msmoto]

One point I need mention....... It takes me about three or four times as long to do these modifications as a shop might require. And one of the time consuming factors is planning, then allowing an overnight period, more evaluation of plans, rechecking, and finally going through each step making certain even if I screw up royally there is a way to fix the problem.

Drilling a 2 1/4" hole through the roof......may increase the quality of my spiritual life as well😂😇


Ms Tommie Lauer
Greensboro, NC
2015 Serenity 30 RB / 2008 Dodge Cummins 4 X 4
WBCCI #4165 AIR #31871

[DoublTrouble]

Msmoto,
Please don't get me wrong...
I am truly impressed and admire your skills and of course the finished product!
Great stuff.

[Skee75]

Msmoto, after the pilot hole is through the interior ceiling, could I use the hole to drill my 2 1/4" from inside the trailer and then keep going through the exterior metal as well?

[Msmoto]

Originally Posted by Skee75

Msmoto, after the pilot hole is through the interior ceiling, could I use the hole to drill my 2 1/4" from inside the trailer and then keep going through the exterior metal as well?

I suspect one could do this, but why? I have found drilling up creates issues of the waste potentially falling into eyes, and aluminum dust is a disaster if one gets into an eye, cannot be removed with a magnet as steel filings are.

When measured about three times, checked by a second person, drilling from the top is preferred, IMO. The key is to do this very slowly, using a sharp high quality hole saw designed for drilling thin sheet metal. My technique is to use a hole saw and keep touching and withdrawing, very slow RPM, as once an initial break through is obtained the risk of distortion, drill grabbing, etc., is high. Although I did not do this, taping the inside with several layers of duct tape may be helpful, or have someone hold a thick board up to the inside surface to support it during the cutting process. Using the tape would also tend to catch some of the metal filings.

I think it may be easier to use something to allow a pilot hole in the roof... maybe even a small piece of masonite glued in place.....