2015 22' Sport - We Made Some Changes

[Semmons]

Great information here! We are purchasing a 2016 22fb Sport and it comes with those horrible mini blinds. Can we replace them with something from a regular blinds store that will work?


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[Piggy Bank]

The AS mini blinds are designed to attach when down into clips located on either side to hold them in place along the curve of the wall. This holds the bottom rod in place so it doesn't move/bang around during travel. It also snugs up the blinds a bit closer to the window along the curve of the wall.

We like to have the blinds closed during storage and travel to keep the heat out.

If replacing, consider the shades that are used in some of the other AS models, called ocean air I believe.

I don't think that "standard" mini blinds like from a big box store would clip in at the bottom like the AS blinds are made to do. Without this bottom clip, I would imagine that the blinds would need to be drawn open to the top during travel, and also that some cushioning means like stick on felt would be needed to keep the bottom bar of the blinds from banging against the window, window frame, and wall. And when down, they will hang straight (per gravity) and not hug up to the window. Unless there is a way to clip to the bottom.

Same reason that the front window curtains are attached top and bottom.

I expected to have an aversion to the blinds but in actual use found them to be easy to use and fairly functional.

[KJRitchie]

Originally Posted by Frank&Mike

I took a photo of the table base this evening to show where the table base butts up to the curbside dinette. Hope this helps give a better representation of its new position.

Is the pedestal just screwed down or are they bolts on blind nuts?

Kelvin

[Yachthalo]

We find the miniblinds on our 2016 22 to be the best of the options we've seen or used. At least some of the regular miniblinds have a bottom attachment option which is often used on door applications.

[Frank&Mike]

Originally Posted by KJRitchie

Is the pedestal just screwed down or are they bolts on blind nuts?

Kelvin

Once the new location for the pedestal was determined, I just drilled new holes and used the same large screws that came with the pedestal.

[morgandc]

Thanks for all of the ideas...

I thought about modifying the bed for easier access to storage, but instead increased difficulty of accessing storage! I increased the size of the platform to the bulk-wall for support and installed a full size queen memory foam mattress.

Intrigued by moving the table back, but we use the back of the dinette for storage commonly. Hmmm....

-Dwight

[TCA and GPO]

Genius bar ideas!

annie

[NWGetaways]

Originally Posted by mrmercury49

We also have made some changes to our 2014 22' FB SPORT.

3. While trying to watch TV in bed with the AC on(we live in Florida), we couldn't see the TV because of the plastic bulkhead and privacy curtain or hear because of the AC (loud). Both were removed and a second TV w/sound bar was added over the bed. With the curtain and bulkhead gone, the trailer seems much roomier. The galley bulkhead was replaced with a stronger version to mount the TV.

How did you route the wires for the television? Did you go up and over the kitchen overhead cabinets? Pictures would be great!

[Frank&Mike]

This is a really easy and inexpensive modification. The goal was to make the bathroom area appear larger ... it also helps to have a large mirror to ensure one looks dressed ok.

It was a challenge to capture the full length mirror in one photo so I had to take a few photos to capture the intent.

[bolerama]

What a great thread! Thanks for sharing all of your mods.
Lisa

[Frank&Mike]

Originally Posted by bolerama

What a great thread! Thanks for sharing all of your mods.
Lisa

Thank you for your kind feedback Lisa. Tomorrow more modifications to come ... as a result of our Thanksgiving camping trip this weekend.

[rlewis]

Great idea!
We have a 2011 Sport 22'...spend 5+ months in ours & walk through space is main issue...how do you patch screw holes when you relocate table post?

[Frank&Mike]

Originally Posted by rlewis

Great idea!
We have a 2011 Sport 22'...spend 5+ months in ours & walk through space is main issue...how do you patch screw holes when you relocate table post?

I used Liquid Nails, then I used a black felt tip marker to color over the Liquid Nails. I think you would really be pleased with the positive impact of moving that table up against the base of the dinette.

[rlewis]

How did you patch the old holes from the table stand?
My husband just started taking our table apart and found a broken sliding piece, also multiple drill holes...looks like a botched job. I do not recommend starting this project while camping...the cramped walk through is frustrating enough under normal conditions!
Kitchen sink...I only use mine to store fruit , I have a plastic bowl that fits perfectly.i use the bathroom sink instead.

[mrmercury49]

NWGetaways,

Sorry for the delay in replying, our Sport was getting a new A/C courtesy of Dometic, but that's another story.

COAX

The new coax was fished straight down from the amplifier,(connect to the spare outlet on the back of the amp), to a new hole drilled in the upper refer access port (picture 1), than around the louvered access door jam through another new hole (picture2). That gets you access to under the galley counter and than to the new coax outlet, next to the bed. I didn't worry about sealing the new holes... its a louvered cover.

POWER

Pull the microwave, you will see that it is served by a single 120v outlet. That was changed out to a new duplex outlet. I made a pigtail using 12/2 cu w/ground with a plug on one end and the other end fished to the new duplex remodel box. Generally the same route the coax took.

[Frank&Mike]

Originally Posted by rlewis

How did you patch the old holes from the table stand?
My husband just started taking our table apart and found a broken sliding piece, also multiple drill holes...looks like a botched job. I do not recommend starting this project while camping...the cramped walk through is frustrating enough under normal conditions!
Kitchen sink...I only use mine to store fruit , I have a plastic bowl that fits perfectly.i use the bathroom sink instead.

I patched the old holes using Liquid Nails. Then after the Liquid Nails dried I simply used a black felt tip marker to blend it with the flooring.

[Lhunter59]

Does anyone have the specs for the gas struts they used to do the bed lift mod?

[ghamr]

I used Signature Gas Springs from Camping World: SE200P-
20.0”
8.0”
12.0”
8x18
P10
90 ft # which I think is medium

[Frank&Mike]

Last weekend we made the following additional changes:

1. Moved the hand towel rod from the interior of the bathroom door to the wall between the shower and the bathroom sink.
Reason: It just made sense to us to have the towel rod near the sink and it didn't look correct having a towel hanging in front of the mirror we installed on the interior of the bathroom door.

2. Moved the bathroom tissue roller from inside the bathroom cabinet door to the wall near the bathroom toilet.
Reason: Too much of the very limited space inside the cabinet, below the bathroom sink, was taken up by the roller and tissue paper. We now have a significant amount of more storage in the cabinet under the bathroom sink.

3. I can't remember if I previously posted this one ... but a while back we installed towel hooks on the wall ... above the tank monitor switch ... to hang bath towels.

4. New bed linens. We have never used the comforter ... I guess we probably should instead of saving ... oh well, new bed linens.

Changes planned for this upcoming weekend ... installation of the new roller shades from IKEA. After pricing OceanAir shades I couldn't justify the price difference between the IKEA shades ($100 for 5 shades) versus the OceanAir shades ($600 for 5 shades).

[bolerama]

Great changes! I can't wait to see the new roller shades.
Lisa