The #1 BEST Improvement You've Made

[guskmg]

The automatic fire extinguisher is an excellent idea.
there is one word of caution: Some of the extinguisher agents are very harmful to aluminum surfaces. For the life of me I can't remember the recommended agent for aluminum.
guskmg

[Phoenix]

Note: The photo in Paiceman's post shows a Fireboy-Xintex MA2 Halon fire extinguisher often used in marine and aircraft applications. Halon is recommended for flammable liquid and electrical fires; and it is non-corrosive to aluminum and other metal parts, and electronic components (e.g., printed circuit boards and wiring).

[paiceman]

Originally Posted by guskmg

The automatic fire extinguisher is an excellent idea.
there is one word of caution: Some of the extinguisher agents are very harmful to aluminum surfaces. For the life of me I can't remember the recommended agent for aluminum.
guskmg

The extinguisher used is a Marine type, the agent used does no harm to anything except the fire. the agent is not supposed to harm engines, electric or aluminum products. Thanks

Bud

[Arcticfox]

Originally Posted by SeeMore

Not number one but organizers certainly rank high with the wife.

This organizer looks very well done! You don't happen to have a template (or drawings) that you would share would you?
Thanks

Doug

[NC Camper]

Originally Posted by Arcticfox

This organizer looks very well done! You don't happen to have a template (or drawings) that you would share would you?
Thanks

Doug

Ditto to Arcticfox's comment/request!

[jayseejay]

Ours is certainly not a DIY, but the single biggest improvement we made was obtaining ducted air conditioning, by trading in our 2011 model for a 2015. Joe

[SeeMore]

By popular demand-

To make the upright sections match the cabinet curve I used the thin cardboard found on the back of a pad of writing paper. Measure the cabinet depth, cut the cardboard to fit depth (front to back) on the short dimension, then place it inside the cabinet and force it to fold/crease along the curve of the shell. Presto, you have the shape.

For mine, the completed unit is removable. I took the template, held it against the cabinet sidewall, and then made the height just short enough to slide in the base first and twist until it was vertical with the top barely short of the doorway (1/8"). That way it could be taken out for cleaning as well as getting to any dust that might collect on the cabinet floor.

The major verticals are 3/8" material, the full length base is 1/4" ply, the horizontal shelves are 1/8." I also had a small piece of plexi that I added for additional plate separation [it is in a shallow dado groove]. Gorilla glue and small screws hold everything together.

[chrisetmike]

This thread is great for someone who is remodeling. Nice to see what works and what doesn't. Love the outdoor grill.

[Wayne&Sam]

Was it the 16" wheels? the TPMS? the rearview camera? the day/night shades? The MaxxAir fans? They are all contenders, but maybe it was just the dog poop bag dispenser made from rubber bands.

[TinSheets]

So far we've added the Pepwave BR1 and a Casper Queen over the RV Queen. Since everything is better with sleep, I'm going with the mattress as the winner at this point.

[Shiloh4570]

I've got several. My favorites are:
1. Cut a hole in the side of the curb side dinette to allow access without having to remove the seat cushion. I built matching Hickory doors to cover the hole and then added a large drawer on full length glides so I have access to everything in that space.

2. Removed the drop down door fronts under the street side seating and installed drawers with full length drawer glides, then finished the drawer fronts with matching Hickory.

3. Reworked the inside of the clothes closet. Added a shelf above the closet rod and another shelf about a foot above the floor. Almost doubled the available storage.

4. Added shelving in the "wardrobes" on each side of the bed for bins to hold socks & shorts etc.

5. Converted to 16" Sindel rims and Michelin tires.

6. Built a new dinning table that is about 6 inches narrower so it was comfortable to sit and enjoy a meal. No kids, so the bed option wasn't important.

It's a work in progress.

Kerry

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by TinSheets

Since everything is better with sleep, I'm going with the mattress as the winner at this point.

As a very wise man once told me, the two most important things in the world are comfortable shoes and a comfortable bed. If you're not in one, you're in the other."

[rmkrum]

Nothing worse than a lumpy bed or a hole in a sock.


Sent from my pocket Internet using Airstream Forums

[guskmg]

I apologize for the long list, but I have enjoyed reading all other modifications. I gives me something to dream about and plan around. Beside, my '06 Classic is here to stay. I can't afford to sell it.
guskmg

[Danecoyer]

What rear camera did you use and did you need to hardwire?

[Rocinante]

We use the Voyager wireless camera that was installed by our dealer. Works great!

[ROBERT CROSS]

Sandra.....


Bob

[truxpin]

Lots of the changes we make are for convenience or personal preference.... as full timers I'd have to say there was one change that made the biggest impact (and continues to..) on a daily basis.


A simple fridge fan....
Our original Dometic didn't have one. ( Do any come with an interior fan ?)
The difference it made was amazing and while it's still no residential refrigerator, it was money well spent.

[janetb]

Great thread! Fun to see what others have done to tune things up a bit.
We've (he's) made similar changes to our 2007 25'fb Safari to those already mentioned, including:

~Changing out to 16" wheels with Michelin tires.
~Adding latex foam mattress toppers for the beds.(Including custom mattress pads and sheets.)
~Replacing flooring. (we had "the leak", and sub floor was replaced, leaks caulked, etc.under warranty) We then put down an inter-locking floating floor from Home Depot-- which we would have done anyway, since the original flimsy floor covering was….flimsy..
~New table made out of quarter-sawn oak to replace the white formica original.
~Changing out to new "marine grade" upholstery on all cushions to replace the very thin original in the sofa/dinette area.
~Changing out all the lower cabinet fronts under sofa/dinette from fabric-covered to the same oak used on the table. Changed all pulls to brushed nickel.
~Adding rear and street-side awnings.
~Replacing the plastic toilet with porcelain.
~Changing all task lights to LED and added a dimmer switch.
_Changing entry steps to the curved ones & adding step covers,

-But the #1 favorite change? LIke many others have said, it's the solar panels.
Having 300 watts available from that source has completely changed our camping experience. We mostly dry camp in state parks, etc. and those panels from A&M in Oregon combined with the AGM batteries and the triple-charge converter have made us generator-free happy campers. Even on a recent trip to Colorado rife with thunderstorms and overcast days, we had a full supply of decadent watts.

That said, after ten years of frequent use we think getting this Airstream is one of the best moves we've ever made in our already very full lives.

And we thank this forum for the wealth of info from so many incredibly awesome and generous folks!

Happy trails to all~

[Gallego]

Originally Posted by SeeMore

Not number one but organizers certainly rank high with the wife.

Do this come already with that shape or you cut them? Where can they be found?