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kb7our · 09-09-2017, 11:40 AM

Picked up Mobile Basecamp 1 (MoB1) last month after 3 yrs of research. Built in July, delivered in August. Some initial mods intended to appear original, plus our NH toilet install. Some pics are flopped despite attempting to post them in landscape format.

Magazine rack replaced with shoe rack
Thumb screws on air intake vents
Portal window on bathroom door
SS AC outlet covers
Kitchen sink side splash guard
Composting toilet

Probably more to come

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Baby Zeppelin · 09-10-2017, 08:26 AM

Looks good. Specially like the splash guard. We have the same AS on order - getting here toward the end of the year.

YippieKiYa · 09-10-2017, 08:40 AM

I like the splash guard, too. A lot. Most of your mods are self-explanatory, but would you mind a shot of the cabinet and guard from the tongue side of the trailer to help see how you attached it/shaped it? I'm assuming a it's a single piece of SS, maybe 18ga, attached with 1/2-3/4" pan head screws to the cabinet side?

Your improvements are simple, yet make a big aesthetic difference. Very nice.

kb7our · 09-10-2017, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YippieKiYa

I like the splash guard, too. A lot. Most of your mods are self-explanatory, but would you mind a shot of the cabinet and guard from the tongue side of the trailer to help see how you attached it/shaped it? I'm assuming a it's a single piece of SS, maybe 18ga, attached with 1/2-3/4" pan head screws to the cabinet side?

Your improvements are simple, yet make a big aesthetic difference. Very nice.

Just get this if you want one ready to go (yes, a little pricey but it's sturdy and ready to install as is). We think it is an excellent fit and very useful.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I loosened the 3 screws holding the right side of the countertop to the cabinet frame from inside the cabinet. Then sandwiched the lower lip of the side splash between the countertop and cabinet using Sikaflex 221 grey and 3 SS screws which are fastened pointing up under the far right side of the countertop. Easy to undo if ever needed and not thick enough to buldge the countertop or look unprofessional. I can take more pics if needed but this may be self-explanatory enough.

I did many mods to our 05 Dolphin that weren't so simple but am trying to keep things much simpler and aesthetically pleasing without so much clutter I see in a lot of pics with the Airstream. We don't intend to fill all the cabinets and little niche spaces just because they are there

.

A little more info on some other mods that may not be apparent from pics alone:

The toilet vent T's into the black tank vent and is all reversible. I hid the original water line behind the curved wood finishing piece behind the toilet. Fan 12V is tapped from the bathroom side of the bedroom light switch. Factory wiring runs along the inside of the bedroom accordion closure pocket.

For the AC vent intake thumb screws, there are round T-Nuts in the ceiling for them to screw into so everything is nice and sturdy. No more screws only through the thin aluminum ceiling.

Wade

YippieKiYa · 09-10-2017, 05:59 PM

Perfect. Thanks Wade.

kb7our · 02-15-2018, 08:09 AM

Here's some additional mods that we've found to be very useful:

Not sure why some pics are turned wrong so sorry about that.

Hallway door pull insert makes it easy to open hinged flap.
Slide in privacy insert for screen door.
Side splash guard for stove.
Mud Flaps.

More to come within this thread.

kb7our · 02-15-2018, 08:17 AM

Some more convenience mods:

Dining table hole with insert for routing cables (e.g. laptop, lamp, etc.).
Battery monitor (location works great for us).
Subwoofer volume control (doesn't contact slide out bed).
Plumbed composting toilet liquids to black tank for nice, clean, reversible install.

kb7our · 02-15-2018, 08:26 AM

More mods:

Swapped loud manual stove spark generator with battery operated one.
Bathroom door secures to hall closer flap to create a nice shower/changing area without having to use soft accordion door (added small hole catch to inside of hallway door flap).
Plastic protector for chair storage near entrance door. FYI area holds 2 Snowpeak camping chairs which are awesome.
Kitchen and bathroom faucets have .5 GPM spigots.

Mollysdad · 02-15-2018, 08:39 AM

Nicely done!
Any future buyer would think the factory did that!

kb7our · 02-15-2018, 08:42 AM

Here's some more:

Added SS screw and glue through top of shower door channel to prevent/stop door slippage.
Shower curtain and simple soap/shampoo holder up out of the way.
Stick on LED light switch at the top of both bedroom closets.
Secured couch backrest piece that's located behind the cushions so it stops slipping. The smaller foam pool noodles work great to angle all the back seat cushions on the couch and dinette for greater comfort.

eagletoo · 02-16-2018, 09:42 AM

On your a/c return, What are the t nuts fastened to so that you can install the thumb screws?
Thank you

kb7our · 02-16-2018, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eagletoo

On your a/c return, What are the t nuts fastened to so that you can install the thumb screws?
Thank you

The flat side is glued in with heavy duty Permatex liquid gasket. Love the stuff and you can usually find it at Walmart or ACE (black or grey). They're held in "solid". Be patient and use the thumb screws to hold them in place once you dab some glue all over the flat side. Back them out when partially dry then a final press of the nuts against the interior roof and you're set. Here's another pic which I know looks terrible but that's due to the iPhone not liking the LEDs

kb7our · 02-16-2018, 04:52 PM

Here's more:

3 fans pushing air up the gap to the roof vent. Need to add a simple thumb switch.
Fan inside fridge. Between this mod and the above mod, the fridge stays reasonably cool in the AZ heat when getting ready for a trip. I can feel more hot air coming out the roof vent with the fans blowing so they definitely work.
Adjustable water heater thermostat kit from Atwood (love it)
Extension for pressure relief (black hose) and drain (silver hose). No issue expelling sediment when cleaning out the heater.

kb7our · 02-16-2018, 05:01 PM

...and some more goodies:

Dual Trojan T-125 Plus 6V batteries fit just fine, even with the shunt (covered with weather flap). All caps are accessible and both terminals are fused (overkill).
Black and Green Hefty Storage Tubs from Lowes are a perfect fit stacked 2 tall in the trunk.
Glue up "all" the cabinet hinge screws so they don't come off (ask me how I know this). Titebond is your friend here.
Added removable taupe fabric cork board above cabinets for travel destination pin collection.

kb7our · 02-16-2018, 05:14 PM

...and some more:

Caulked the rear outside bumper area famous for water ingress.
Another view of the mud flaps.
We like this style vent cover and have 2 for the fantastic fans.
Sealed rear bumper gaps where bumper meets flip up trunk and along sides of flip up lid.
Reinforced inside of storage lid behind couch because the lid wants to warp. Not anymore.
Showing the nice fit when the bathroom door is open to meet up with the hinged flap portion of the hall closet. Makes for a very large and nice private dressing area open to bathroom, shower, and bedroom.

DBinSD · 02-16-2018, 05:29 PM

You have done a great job !

Any links you can share?

What benefits do you get from the dual 6v conversion ?

Baby Zeppelin · 02-16-2018, 05:51 PM

Well, we've done a few mods to our new Airstream too....

First, installed a backup camera - powered off the trailer's tag light so I can see what's driving behind me as well as for backing up help.

It's hard wired to the monitor in the TV, with the video cable running under the trailer and along the trailer's umbilical cord to a plug at the rear of the TV

Baby Zeppelin · 02-16-2018, 05:55 PM

Continuing the upgrades...
To help prevent the costly AGM batteries from being stolen replaced the pretty chrome latch with a cabinet cam lock from Home Depot.
However that lock isn't water proof, so covered it with a magnet/knob from Hobby Lobby.

Had to remove the felt bottom from the magnet, grind away part of the knob stud and nut. Also put a thick dab of silicone grease over the lock to further keep water out.

Baby Zeppelin · 02-16-2018, 06:01 PM

.... and continuing on....

Having heard horror stories of damage to the dump valves, propane lines, and fresh water tank drain fitting - all from loose gravel roads in Canada and Alaska - I thought I'd do some preventative maintenance:
First, boxed in the drain valve:

Then mud flaps to protect the dump valves:

For symmetry there is of course a mud flap on the right side too. Purchased one 24"X18" truck mudflap for $10 at NAPA/Genuine Parts Company and cut it in half lengthwise to make two before doing further trimming. Also installed TPMS system to the trailer wheels, can see a sensor in the second photo above.

Baby Zeppelin · 02-16-2018, 06:05 PM

... and finally, while crawling around under the trailer to run the video cable for the rear facing camera wrapped the cable and propane lines with padded pipe wrap. Hopefully that'll help slow down damage from loose gravel beating against the low hanging pipes.

Other mods have been primarily to the interior, such as a facsimile of the costly teak shower mats, but made of cedar. More photos to follow at a later date.