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Topic: Recommend improvements (Read 1382 times) previous topic - next topic

Recommend improvements

Calling on all you grizzled old road warriors to help out this newbie. Got my coach in a buddies shop putting in new fuel lines and doing a generator pull and service. Replaced both dash blower fans because bearings bad in one and decided didn't want to go back in and do another anytime soon. Replaced old bulbs in gauges with LED that you can actually see and will brighten and dim. Replaced voltage gauge that PO had replaced with one that did not match. Was able to find new old stock on obsolete gauge that matched and works on dimmer. Got a little time to spend and wondering what are some of the best improvements, refinements or modifications or upgrades you have found to make daily use or maintenance easier. Have already gotten some ideas from some of you and your posts. So lets hear some of your best tricks and tips. Eagerly anticipating some genius mods
I have put in a setup to pump antifreeze for easier winterizing, putting USB ports in 12v outlets, getting ready to put switch in to shut dash fans off when aquahot comes on in Zone1, replacing bay lights with !0" LED, want to put propane connection to run griddle/stove,  add air connection at air tank drains to add air pressure from outside source, and change headlights to LED.
Will be starting chasing down air leaks soon. Any help there will be greatly appreciated
2001 4010 U320
Build 5875

Re: Why Didn't I Think of That/ Wish I'd Done That Sooner

Reply #1 –
You may want to consider a VMSpc System from Roger.  You'll find his ad below in the Commercial Classifieds.  I believe quite a few of us on the Forum have it now.  For me, it is awesome just to be able to take a quick glance at the Green Dots and know all is well.  By watching temps and pressures in different situations, it can be a big help in how you drive your coach too.

Another add on may be a TPMS.  It is great to know your tire pressures are all good, or if you get a leak.  The alarm will let you know quickly when a tire is going down.

Welcome, and good luck with your new Coach.  It will bring you much happiness.
Mark & Bev
2001 U295 36' Slide
Cummins ISC 8.3 350HP
Build #5802
Jeep Wrangler Toad

Re: Why Didn't I Think of That/ Wish I'd Done That Sooner

Reply #2 –
thanks. PO installed Silverleaf but his son sold me coach and did not give me laptop. Didn't realize it had the program on it. Harness is there just need to get laptop and download program. it is on list to do. There is also a TPMS but doesn't seem to be hooked up. Found a small tackle box with sensors and batteries. Monitor above driver head. Can that be displayed on Silverleaf screen?
2001 4010 U320
Build 5875

Re: Recommend improvements

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Spiderhitch –
add air connection at air tank drains to add air pressure from outside source, and change headlights to LED.

Adding air after dryer may induce moisture in your system. Add before dryer or make your supply run thru a desiccant dryer. So your headlight reflectors are truly noteworthy as being the most poorly designed reflector lens ever made. Adding leds will only intensify there faults.

Amazon.com: Pair of Black Housing Amber Corner Headlights w/Signal Lamps...

These seem to work better and do not have prisms in the lens. Really make the front of the coach look different. Just make sure your not blinding your fellow drivers. There are other options if you search headlights. Good luck
Scott
As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.

Re: Recommend improvements

Reply #4 –
So since your coach has extreme upgrade headlamps disregard everything I said about lights except for not blinding oncoming traffic with mismatched leds. You get what you pay for in regards to lights.
Scott

Re: Recommend improvements

Reply #6 –
My most often used upgrade would have to be the direct fill for the fresh water tank.
  Used to take up to 45 min to fill, but now it's down to 15 min.    And the DW can use water where ever she wants as I'm filling. 
Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR

Re: Recommend improvements

Reply #7 –
3rd Valve on black/gray tank
1993 U300 40ft GV SE
Build # 4344

Re: Recommend improvements

Reply #8 –
Mike's picks:
Scatter shield over the drive shaft U joint to keep slung out grease out of the fast acting air valve exhaust ports which are located right above the U joint. Yep bad location for one or the other.

No Spill low profile drain system to the oil pan and Hyd. fluid tank

Moved fresh water over flow to a better location

Pamela's picks:
Bamboo floor

Pamela & Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Recommend improvements

Reply #9 –
Here are some ideas that we have done.  Do what makes your coach work better for you in the way you use it.  It may take some time to discover what those are. Take your time.

✔️ In your coach adding a 42" bedroom ceiling fan is pretty easy and worth doing. Ceiling fan?
✔️ Residential Refrigerator Another Samsung installed
✔️  Change all of the interior lighting to LED, we like the lower temp color. Used LED strips to replace fluorescent tubes, use more than you think you need and add dimmers. Soldering LED Light Strips
✔️  Hot water recirculation, Hot Water Recirculation
✔️  Water pump auto shutoff. Water Pump Timer Automatically Switches Pump Off
✔️  Toilet switch interface to water pump. Toilet Flush Switch Interface to Water Pump
✔️  City water automatic shut off Automatic Electric Valve at The City Water Connection
✔️  Awning lights Night Lighting
✔️  In our 2001 the table position was not good for us, easy to change where the table is on the pedestal or make a new table. Dining Table Top
✔️  Replace the 20" drawer boxes in your kitchen drawers in the L section with ones 30-32" long. 
✔️  Put in a good battery monitor.
✔️  Make sure you have a way to charge your start batteries.
✔️  Lithium batteries when it is time to change batteries,  600 AH Lithium Battery Installation
✔️  Solar if you like to be off grid and generator free.
✔️  If you have the original inverter get ready to change it.  Approaching its end of life on many coaches. A Second House Battery Bank, Solar Panels, 2 New Inverters
✔️ Add a new storge bay on the driver's side A New Storage Bay

Make your coach Alexa enabled. Almost everything in our coach is voice/app controllable from anywhere but none of this replaces manual control as it has always been.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Recommend improvements

Reply #10 –
Every Idea above are great and I agree with totally.
Since I am doing it now, replace shocks when you can, if ride and age, warrants it, or not already done, with Koni FSD shocks.

Check fuel hose for cracks and odor. May need replacing.
'99 U320 40 WTFE
Build #5462,
1500 Watts Solar 600 amp Victron lithium
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Hemi
Instagram bobfnbw
Retired

Re: Recommend improvements

Reply #11 –
Upgrade to Polaris Razor XP and trailor.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Recommend improvements

Reply #12 –
Oh yea, I'm learning all right. Seems like it's always the hard way. Just trying to muddle my way through one thing at a time.
2001 4010 U320
Build 5875

SPLIT: Digital Assistant Technology (split from Re: Recommend improvements)

Reply #13 –
One or more of the messages of this topic have been moved to Around the Fire Ring since they are not responses to the original question and not RV related

https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=41736.0
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320