The 23FB forum

[leedav]

After the Bambi 16 ours feels luxuriously huge.

Originally Posted by Vinster

In our experience, with some care, it is not the black tank that you have to worry about, it is the grey water tank that fills up the quickest. So - no inside showers and little dishwashing preserves much space. The experience becomes much like tent camping, without the tent. If you are boondocking and treat the experience like tent camping, which may include the use of a solar shower or wet wipes (Hoo-Ahhs or Buy Buy Baby wet wipes are my personal favorite) , disposable plates and cups, and washing cooking pots outside in bins (as we used to do), then both grey water and black water tanks should be good for 5-7 days with 2 people. We love our 23FB, but tank space awareness is always necessary when not hooking up for more than a day or two. If you pay attention to what you are putting in, it is manageable.

[Coyotetrack]

Hello— I thought I’d share some modifications I’ve made to our 2017 23FB. I originally posted this to the general Flying Cloud forum and was suggested that it go here.

This is our first airstream. We are not retired so it hasn’t got a lot of use yet, but that hasn’t stopped us from realizing that some things needed to be changed.

We bought this model of AS because it fit our budget and, at the time, we thought a key feature is the walk around queen sized bed.

It’s just the two of us and a large dog and we spend a lot of time outside. Most of our camping is in SoCal so that is easy and very enjoyable.

I’ve done a few things such as upgraded batteries, solar, etc. but this is just about sharing a couple comfort mods inside.

The first was to change the dinette table. The original was too wide in one direction and not wide enough in the other. Keep in mind that it’s just two of us. I removed the old table and removed the backrest up against the window. I resized the table so there is more room for my growing stomach and the table goes all the way to the window. This is working great for us.

The other mod I’ll share is the bed. The size of the bed is good but calling it a walk around bed is a stretch. If you own one you know what I mean. The storage underneath is good but too inconvenient to get to. I imagine it’s okay for those on super long trips. We don’t have the time yet for that.

The problems that we experienced included 1. that the bedroom had nice windows for viewing but we were in there only when we retired for the night. 2. The person (wife) sleeping to the front had difficulty getting in and out without bumping head on cabinet above or disturbing other person (me) in bed. 3. The dog (90 lbs) didn’t have a place to sleep without us having to step over in the dark at night.

We agonized over this for some time before I suggested that the AS be converted to a twin setup or what we call the Rickie and Lucy version. This will only work for the 23FB if you are short—at least one of you. I’m 5’7” and she is 5’5”. I removed the queen bed and frame and built two twins on opposite sides. I had mattresses custom made to fit. We now have a bedroom that has a center aisle where the dog sleeps at night. In addition the bedroom now has become a nice lounge during the day or evening for taking in the views.

Thanks and I’m eager to hear your thoughts and what you have done to make your AS home.

[SpinWhite]

Added 2 more fans to the refrigerator to suck the heat from the top coils.

[curnes]

Coyotetrack- would you mind posting a picture or two of your sleeping area. I’m interested in your twin conversion. We’re also not too tall and am interested in how you modified the bed for the shorter length and what you are doing about under bed storage. Much thanks, Cameron

[GMFL]

Originally Posted by Steamy1

Bolted a 1/4" steel L-plate to the frame to use as a hard point to place a jack between the tires to lift the trailer. The metal on the frame was just too thin to accept the pressure of a jack. I placed another one forward to use for a safety jack point. I also use the points on the frame fore and aft to place additional safety jacks.

Steamy,
Flip you centramatics around so that the ring faces out. It will allow for better cooling of your brake drums.

[Steamy1]

Originally Posted by GMFL

Steamy,
Flip you centramatics around so that the ring faces out. It will allow for better cooling of your brake drums.

Hi GMFL,

I wondered about this, as a matter of fact. Not only for cooling, which I did not consider but is a good observation, but also that the wheel seems like it would make better contact with the hub since the Centramatic seems bow out. However, I had read on an older post that Andy from Inland RV said to point the ring towards the hub.

Thanks for the note. I will turn around before putting the wheels back on.

[Fair_Enough]

It isn't the end of the world to cut down the wardrobe and in fact, it then gives you 84" for the 34 x 78 or 80 mattress and drawers that can be used for a nightstand. Something unforeseen is that the WH required building up the platform on that side out of necessity and the other side to match. Mattress Insider 34 x 78 (pocket coil) are on the way. Also showing the finished nightstand cabinet with those drawers that were part of the original wardrobe "bottom". Kinda wish I have built my own drawers because these are heavy. 3/4" particleboard, but work well. While bed was out, I put down new flooring and also showing what the jack knife sofa looks like with "arms" which add a layer of safety to someone from being caught in the mechanism. I could see a potential for injury. Under the sofa is the subwoofer and a place on the end, boxed in, for shoes.
Clint

[Vinster]

Originally Posted by SpinWhite

Added 2 more fans to the refrigerator to suck the heat from the top coils.

So you now have three fans cooling the fridge?

[SpinWhite]

Yes. The original is blowing up and mounted on top of the lower cooling fins.

[Coyotetrack]

Originally Posted by curnes

Coyotetrack- would you mind posting a picture or two of your sleeping area. I’m interested in your twin conversion. We’re also not too tall and am interested in how you modified the bed for the shorter length and what you are doing about under bed storage. Much thanks, Cameron

Hi Cameron,

Here are some photos of the twin beds and I’ve added one of the table modification.

The mattresses look different because I repurposed the old queen by cutting down and sewing it back together. That was work and not sure I’d want to do that again but it did save throwing that much foam into the landfill.

As you can see there is no storage under the “Lucy” side because that is where the outside storage hatch goes and where a bunch of electrical is located. I simply cut down the existing platform to fit and put a new plywood bed on top.

The other side I was able to keep open beneath for lots of storage. I decided to keep it open, instead of doors or drawers for easier access.

Thank you,
Jim

[Fair_Enough]

Jim, you kept it simple. I like that, but I always overdo things. My outside storage area is a bit smaller than it was due to the electrics there, that I have now protected. Like yours the street side underbed is all storage.

[Fair_Enough]

Mattresses came in yesterday. Got them from Mattress Insider. 8” pocketed coils. They are 78” long, but closer to 35” wide at their widest. That’s not a bad thing but mattresses are now touching the nightstand sides.
The fit to the curve is close but not perfect.

I also added that plastic vented stuff under the curbside bed. So clearance of toes to wardrobe continues to shrink. If proves too much I will ditch the vent layer.

So I have a little space at the foot that the extra length will be nice to push off the duvet or blanket. I will need to finish the plywood that shows, better and trim down the vent stuff.

Clint

[curnes]

Originally Posted by Coyotetrack

Hi Cameron,



Here are some photos of the twin beds and I’ve added one of the table modification.



The mattresses look different because I repurposed the old queen by cutting down and sewing it back together. That was work and not sure I’d want to do that again but it did save throwing that much foam into the landfill.



As you can see there is no storage under the “Lucy” side because that is where the outside storage hatch goes and where a bunch of electrical is located. I simply cut down the existing platform to fit and put a new plywood bed on top.



The other side I was able to keep open beneath for lots of storage. I decided to keep it open, instead of doors or drawers for easier access.



Thank you,

Jim

Jim, thanks for sharing the pictures. My wife is about 5’3” so would fit nicely on the right side. Like your floor plan, we wouldn’t have to take out part of the cupboard like so many doing that mod have done. We have a 2010 flying cloud so our table is already oriented left to right. Cameron

[51hunter]

Originally Posted by Coyotetrack

Hi Cameron,

Here are some photos of the twin beds and I’ve added one of the table modification.

The mattresses look different because I repurposed the old queen by cutting down and sewing it back together. That was work and not sure I’d want to do that again but it did save throwing that much foam into the landfill.

As you can see there is no storage under the “Lucy” side because that is where the outside storage hatch goes and where a bunch of electrical is located. I simply cut down the existing platform to fit and put a new plywood bed on top.

The other side I was able to keep open beneath for lots of storage. I decided to keep it open, instead of doors or drawers for easier access.

Thank you,
Jim

Very well done on both counts the beds and table. I made a smaller table so the Mrs and I could fit but I really like your idea as we done use that space on the seating.

We sold our 75 29' twin bed for a 23'FB and sure do miss the twin bed feature for room and foot path area. Might be a future change for us. Looks easy enough except the mattress and that's the Mrs department. I'm sure my dog would love to sleep between us as in the old days.

Thanks for sharing John

[dolson]

For best refrigerator efficiency yon need to configure the gas so they actually EXAUST the air from the top (see picture).

[dolson]

Sorry. That’s fans not gas and exhaust[emoji15]

[leedav]

The wardrobe by the fridge gets very hot inside when the fridge is running on gas. Is this normal? I put shelves in there to use it as a pantry. Not quite working out

[Fair_Enough]

Originally Posted by leedav

The wardrobe by the fridge gets very hot inside when the fridge is running on gas. Is this normal? I put shelves in there to use it as a pantry. Not quite working out

Have you added fan or fans to cool the compartment? The ones I added have made a huge difference in fridge performance and surely must have reduced the temperature in the compartment. The much larger fans I added are also much, much quieter than the poor excuse for an exhaust fan I found there.

If you think about it, the fridge compartment is open to the air, which means if its 100F ambient, it will be that plus what the heat from LP or electric generates. There is not much keeping that heat out of the interior. I would bet if one were to slide the microwave out, insulate bottom and side towards wardrobe, with say 3/4" to 1" polyiso it would make a difference. Or, only add a layer of poly to the hot side of the wardrobe. I did this in my old toyhauler for a similar reason... it looked tacky, but it looked way better painted white; it paints up well.

I would not use Reflectix like so many do, since needs an air space (gap) and only works for radiant heat. Conductive heat transfers easily thru it.
Clint

[GMFL]

Clint,
I did something very similar to that. I used HD foam pipe insulation to from a ring around the refrigerator isolating the “inside space” from the outside compartment. This greatly reduced the inside wall temp and allowed the space between the refrigerator and wall to become “conditioned space”. Helped a ton with fridge temps also.
See photos below.

[SpinWhite]

I've found wires inside the closet next to the refrigerator. They enter thru the ceiling and travel down behind the hinges and thru the floor of the closet. Are they the solar panel wiring coming from the connection box on the roof? See the attached photo. I cannot get the img to rotate.