The #1 BEST Improvement You've Made

[John&Vicki]

I did a search and didn't find a thread on this topic. Most of us make improvements to our Airstreams, some more successful than others. I think it would be really interesting to hear about the Hall of Fame improvements - the single #1 best thing that you've done to improve your AS.

Mine is easy and I've posted here about it before. I removed the gaucho, which was uncomfortable as a couch and uncomfortable as a bed, and replaced it with a two recliner unit that I stole from my home theater. Tremendous increase in functionality and comfort.

What's yours, the #1 improvement you've made to your rig?

Cheers,
John

[Arcticfox]

Tagging in to follow along......


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[SeeMore]

I built and installed a cabinet in an unused space which added another 4 cubic feet of storage directly across from the kitchen. The wheel well had just a simple three sided box covered in carpet so I removed it before installation. I placed the bar in the half deep space at the bottom.

Before and After pics:

[John&Vicki]

Nice improvement SeeMore. And it's great to include pictures.

Thanks,
John

[Mikeyman]

Ha! SeeMore, I love it! Just yesterday I was looking at a small space between my fridge cabinet and the couch and thinking about what I could put there... My favourite improvement seems silly, but I've installed a light on top of my fridge cabinet that turns on when the fridge is running on AC power. Piece of mind that the fridge is running, and cool looking night-light.

[Al and Missy]

I jacked up everything but the 16" wheels and tires and lowered a 2002 Classic 30 slide-out onto them.

Actually on both trailers I added a quick connect propane fitting at the tongue and a mounting rail for a Camco Olympian 5500 grill between the door and the awning support arm. I stripped the white powder coat off the mounting rail and clear-coated it. I was concerned for heat that close to the skin but you can't feel it with your hand even with the grill on high. It is really nice to step out the door to the grill. There is a horizontal framing bar evidenced by a rivet line at that location that the grill is attached to so it is not just hanging on the skin.

This picture is from the 25. There is a little more room between the door and the grill on the 30.



Al

[SteveSueMac]

I've made a few - changed out the lounge area for a recliner and custom "piano" cut table, propane port, external LED strips (factory white and self-installed colors on belt line), Michelin tires, and more, but by FAR the best mod so far is the addition of an emergency exit door. Did a thread on that here: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f453...ml#post1774823

Some bugs/tweaks still to be made but great peace of mind and a convenience for transporting the bikes, gaining cross breeze and more...

[AtomicNo13]

I installed a high definition video camera to the bottom side of my Winegard antenna. I ran power and signal cables down through the masts then penetrated the shell using watertite fittings.
I got 12 volts from the thinlite then ran signal to my hdtv from there. I can see whats going on at night in color night vision. Its fun to watch the kids play and jist be a high mounted peeping tom!

[John&Vicki]

Al...

Do you have a picture of your grill bracket without the grill on it? I assume it folds up when not in use?

Thanks,
John

[John&Vicki]

That second door is fantastic Steve - I missed that thread. Your trailer is becoming a Spartan Manor!

John

[Phoenix]

I've made lots of minor repairs and tweaks to our 19' Bambi, since we bought it new in 2005. But, the most important improvement was switching to 16" wheels and Michelin XPS Ribs.

The first five years, we towed our Bambi about 15,000 miles; and we constantly worried about tire failures (3 of 5 ST tires failed). Since switching to XPS Ribs in 2011, we have towed the Bambi another 45,000 miles with absolutely no tire problems.

[Al and Missy]

Originally Posted by John&Vicki

Al...

Do you have a picture of your grill bracket without the grill on it? I assume it folds up when not in use?

Thanks,
John

It's actually a three part solution. There is an extruded mounting rail that is pretty much a take on a 1/2" square "U" shape. This is what I stripped and clear-coated. That is all that is left on the trailer when the grill is not mounted.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Camco-RV-G...-Rail/29764617

The actual bracket folds up. It hangs on the rail and arms fold out that the grill slips onto. It comes with the grill.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Camco-Olym...Grill/29764622

I found mine on sale at an even better price than this at Camping World.

As shown here, when slipped into the vertical mounts on the grill the bracket can be used as a stand or can be hung from the mounting rail and slipped into horizontal mounts on the grill.

Al

[Mixter]

subscribing

[nvestysly]

Hard to say which is the best.

When we use water from the fresh water tank and the pump is so quiet we can barely hear it... that's the best upgrade.

When we use the writing table and ZipDee storage compartment... that's the best upgrade.

In the winter when we use the catalytic propane heater... that's the best upgrade.

When the weather is pleasant and we run one Fantastic Vent in and one out... that's the best upgrade.

When the batteries last for years and don't boil dry the Progressive Dynamics converter is (you guessed it)... the best upgrade.

Hmmm... I think it is difficult to say.

[Goal15]

Our new mattress from Mattress Insider hands down. Best sleep in the AS ever. So much better than whatever that was that the AS came with!

Dana


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[dkottum]

Hi John and hello to Vicki as well.

Hard to pick best overall, probably the change to recliner seating as we're now comfortable for our long trips from home. Pretty impressed with the Sleep Number bed we got last winter (individual firmness controls), best mattress we've ever had. For long distance towing, the ProPride hitch for stability and relaxed driving and 16" Michelin tires for reliability are terrific.

[rmkrum]

A PrecisionTemp tankless water heater for DW's long hot showers.

Wife is happy. End of story. The rest of the many upgrades make no significant difference.

Solar, better batteries, ham radio and antennas, sewer solution, fancy power cords and hoses, etc. She cares not a whit as long as the shower water stays hot as long as she is in the shower.

I just have to be doubly darn sure we have plenty of propane and water. Don't ask how I figured that out...😁

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[Dingo Girl]

Shiny new sub floor and 95 percent of the frame replaced.

[m.hony]

Mine aren't nearly as glamorous, but here goes:
1. 16" wheels and LT tires, TPMS, and Centramatics
2. Equal-i-zer hitch
3. Rhinofllex sewer hose
4. BakFlip G2 hard folding tonneau on the truck
5. backup camera on the truck
6. backup camera on the trailer
7. charcoal chimney
As I said, not glamorous, but these simple, mundane things make camping easier and more fun.

[twestover]

nvestysly, what water pump did you get that it is so quiet?

Terri Warren