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09-30-2008, 08:22 PM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member
1960 22' Safari
Rockford
, Michigan
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 39
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Share some cool custom improvements
I love seeing people do things that are cool and innovative and simple and trick...but are home grown. I'd love it if some people would share what are the improvements that they are most proud of in their airstream. Please include pictures if you can.
Doug
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09-30-2008, 08:50 PM
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#2
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
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, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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I installed an electronic household thermostat for our Armstrong a/c. The entire unit now turns off when it reaches set temp, it is much quieter.
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
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10-06-2008, 05:51 PM
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#3
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1 Rivet Member
1970 23' Safari
Holland
, MI
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 14
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How about a stereo with NOAA radio
Hi Doug,
I am also a Doug and live close to you (Grant) one thing I wanted in my 70 Safari was a NOAA weather radio. I found one on ebay meant for marine applications - that had an am/fm and cd along with 3 weather bands. I added some 6x9 blaurpunkts for good sound! And of course that overhead compartment was just begging for a stereo to fill it's void.
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10-09-2008, 08:14 AM
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#4
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3 Rivet Member
2005 25' Safari
2016 30' Classic
Columbus
, Ohio
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 123
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I have the audio upgrade package and I installed a switch to interrupt power to the head unit, CD changer and Satellite radio to save power. Very simple. These devices slowly leech power even when not in use. Also, I installed a 12 volt power port inside the refrigerator access area to facilitate tire pumping with a 12 volt compressor. Again, quick. Both under $10.
__________________
2016 Classic
2016 Ford F-250 Lariat 6.7PSD
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10-09-2008, 11:08 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1965 17' Caravel
1983 27' Excella
Walnut Grove/Laguna Woods
, California
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,635
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Our 1965 17' Caravel has four Toyota car jacks attached to the frame. Each jack os located about 2/3 the distance from the axle to the outer end of the frame rail. Whan the jacks are extended, the trailer is not only "steady as a rock", but can be leveled from side to side. Now.... I always get the trailer level or nearly level side to side before extending the jacks, but lifting one side a small amount has never been a problem. When not extended, the jacks protrude only about three to four inches. No clearance problem at all.
Really handy, as storage space on a Caravel is at a premium.
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10-09-2008, 11:53 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2012 25' FB Eddie Bauer
Vintage Kin Owner
Virginia Beach
, Virginia
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 7,801
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jeff4506
I have the audio upgrade package and I installed a switch to interrupt power to the head unit, CD changer and Satellite radio to save power. Very simple. These devices slowly leech power even when not in use. Also, I installed a 12 volt power port inside the refrigerator access area to facilitate tire pumping with a 12 volt compressor. Again, quick. Both under $10.
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Well D'oh.... 12 volt inside reefer access ---- LOVE IT!
Paula
__________________
Today is a gift, that's why they call it the present.
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10-10-2008, 06:28 AM
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#7
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2 Rivet Member
1960 22' Safari
Rockford
, Michigan
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 39
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Doug...I love the 12v power access idea. I'll have to remember that. At first I thought you were saying that you installed it INSIDE the fridge. I couldn't figure that one out.
I've also been looking into the car jack concept under my 22' safari. I don't want rip them off at the end of my driveway...so I'll have to install them back a little bit too.
Keep the good ideas coming!
I needed to rebuild my kitchen table in my front dinette area. It came with one leaf to extend the table while you were eating and then shrink it when I need to make it a bed for my kids. When I rebuilt it, I made it even shorter and made two leaves. Now I can shrink it down to the size of a little end table during the day so we can more easily sit down to put on shoes or get dressed.
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10-10-2008, 06:55 AM
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#8
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Rivet Master
, Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,721
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I bought some of those Xenon puck lights (3 for $20). Mounted them in the overhead and wired them to a marine light switch so I can turn on just one, or all three.
These put out a ton of light. I'm looking for an inexpensive DC dimmer switch to make them a little more romantic. Needs to handle 60 watts.
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10-10-2008, 08:43 AM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1968 28' Ambassador
Cedaredge
, Colorado
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,542
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You can see my custom bunks here along with the dinette...
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f44/...r-44644-2.html
__________________
Jason
May you have at least one sunny day, and a soft chair to sit in..
2008 5.7 L V8 Sequoia
AIR # 31243
WBCCI # 6987
FOUR CORNERS UNIT
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10-10-2008, 10:22 AM
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#10
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418
2007 25' Safari FB SE
1958 22' Flying Cloud
1974 29' Ambassador
Yucca Valley
, California
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: 1963 26' Overlander
Posts: 4,804
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Quote:
Originally Posted by markdoane
I bought some of those Xenon puck lights (3 for $20). Mounted them in the overhead and wired them to a marine light switch so I can turn on just one, or all three.
These put out a ton of light. I'm looking for an inexpensive DC dimmer switch to make them a little more romantic. Needs to handle 60 watts.
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I might have extrea dimmer switches in a month or so.
You might be able to fit 5W or 10W xenon lamps in the pucks to bring down the light output, ,depending on which lamp is in there now. You said 60W, so I assume you have 20W lamps in the fixures..
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10-10-2008, 11:03 AM
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#11
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Moderator
1968 17' Caravel
Battle Ground
, Washington
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,255
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The lights sure look nice, Mark. Did you just hide the wiring in the cabinets behind them?
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Stephanie
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10-10-2008, 11:33 AM
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#12
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Rivet Master
, Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,721
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Uwe,
I'd be interested in the dimmers, or even just a mfg and PN. I found some cool schematics but they need a power transistor and a couple of amplifiers.
Stephanie, yes I ran the wires through a rabbet in the cabinet, and touted them to the light switch on the pantry wall.
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10-10-2008, 11:53 AM
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#13
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Rivet Master
1972 27' Overlander
Longmont
, Colorado
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 951
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One thing I did was make more countertop space- we like to cook and I've yet to see a tt with enough food prep area. I did this by getting rid of the original fridge-vent enclosure, and by extending the lower cabinet and countertop. Some day we might have a small convection oven in the corner.
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10-10-2008, 12:18 PM
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#14
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Moderator
1968 17' Caravel
Battle Ground
, Washington
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,255
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How did you do that brushed aluminum backsplash, tphan? That looks really nice! We have the yellowed, cracked plastic fridge vent on ours, I've been looking for an easy way to hide it.
__________________
Stephanie
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10-10-2008, 02:21 PM
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#15
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Rivet Master
1977 27' Overlander
1973 27' Overlander
1963 19' Globetrotter
Naples
, Florida
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,259
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Extra hose bib
Got tired of having to go to back of trailer for water,installed a 1/2 tee at water supply ,ran 1/2 copper to curb side ,screwed dropeared ell to frame and installed curb side hose bib.Works for me.Dave
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10-10-2008, 05:22 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
1972 27' Overlander
Longmont
, Colorado
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 951
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Stephanie- Thanks! all I did was swirl around on it with fine steel wool, I think 00.
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10-10-2008, 06:46 PM
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#17
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Rivet Master
1993 34' Limited
Melbourne Florida
, Springfield Ohio
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 759
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How about two recliner chairs and a table with lamp in place of the couch. See "1993 Limited" in the photo section.
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10-10-2008, 09:01 PM
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#18
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
1989 34.5' Airstream 345
Cleveland
, Tennessee
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 787
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There's a lot more
There's a thread listed in the "On The Road ..." forums. It's titled "Favorite Mod Under $100". I don't know how to make a link but maybe someone who has more computer skills can do it.
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10-11-2008, 09:01 AM
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#19
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4 Rivet Member
2007 25' Safari FB SE
North/East
, New Jersey
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 367
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Quote:
Originally Posted by markdoane
Uwe,
I'd be interested in the dimmers, or even just a mfg and PN. I found some cool schematics but they need a power transistor and a couple of amplifiers.
Stephanie, yes I ran the wires through a rabbet in the cabinet, and touted them to the light switch on the pantry wall.
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markdoane...This place has a good selection of classy looking 12v DC dimmers. 12-24 Volt Light Switches, 12-24 Volt Dimmers, 12-24 Volt LED Dimmers, Receptacles, Mounting Boxes - SailorSams.com
__________________
2007 Safari 25' FBSE LS
2006 GMC Sierra 2500HD Crew Cab 4WD Duramax
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