DIY

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Thanks to YouTube and other online resources, we made some updates and fixed some problems that have occurred. Below is a description of some of the DIY work we have accomplished:

• Replacing our back-up camera: The previous owners had installed a Furrion Vision S back-up camera that we found very useful. Unfortunately, the clarity of the camera began to blur and we wanted to replace it. Because Furrion products are top of the line, they also fetch top dollar to purchase.  Wanting to save some money, and after doing some online research, we decided to try the AMTIFO A7 as it is plug-and-play and could easily replace the "shark fin" style of the Furrion without us having to drill new holes in the rig. The AMTIFO A7  also has a larger screen and can record using a SIM card. The one downside is that it only comes with a dash mount and we needed a window mount, so we purchased the GreenYi Suction Cup Bracket as well. We tried out the new camera and mounting system on our trip to Upstate New York  and New England and are very happy with the new set up! 

• Coffee mug shelves: We installed small shelves (paid link) in the back sitting area so we have additional space to rest our mugs when eating meals.

• Adjusting the refrigerator temperature: Our refrigerator does not have an obvious thermostat adjustment and was freezing our fruits and vegetables. We read the manual and searched online for a fix. There turned out to be a simple solution: All we had to do was move the thermistor from the left side of the fridge to the right. Now our fridge keeps everything cold but not frozen.

• Semi-permanent bed and recreated sitting area: We really don't like having to make up our bed everyday! So we created a semi-permanent full-size bed by using the couch in the back and extending it with additional foam padding. We then purchased new 24" x 24" cushions from a local At Home store and used those instead of the longer OEM cushions (now stored in our basement). We added extra foam padding in the cushions because the ones we purchased were not particularly comfortable. In short, we forfeited a bigger sitting area for a bed that we could leave in place during the day while still using our sitting area. We rarely used the table that came with the RV so we leave that at home and instead use foldable tray tables on our laps when we eat inside.  

• Hammocks: We attached a gear hammock (paid link) to the top of bulkhead of the cab to hold bedding. It’s not the most elegant addition, but it is very practical and gives us some well-needed additional storage space.

• Baskets: We installed three baskets (paid link) that have really helped us organize: One behind the driver’s seat to hold books and to hang jackets from (fantastic!), one near the galley to hold fruit (great but a bit small), and one in the back above the TV to hold electronics (great!). We also installed an Everything Keeper in the back which now serves as our “junk drawer”.

• Mesh screening installation: We attached a mesh screen (paid link) around the back door of the van which is excellent so we can open the back doors and get fresh air in the van without the bugs. This year, we attached a similar mesh screen (paid link) to the sliding side door of the van to allow for full circulation with the doors open. 

• Leaking toilet: On our trip to the Finger Lakes, we realized that the toilet was leaking from the top so that clean (thank goodness!) water was dripping out of the back. After consulting YouTube, we found the part (paid link) we needed and installed it when we got home.  Two years later, on our southwest trip, the toilet started leaking from a different place. After unsuccessfully trying to fix the part, we ended up replacing our water line and also purchasing that same original part. This was the first time we used Amazon Locker to a Speedway in Oro Valley, AZ so we could fix the part on the road. 

• Fixing the freezer door: The latch on our freezer door broke, which meant that  our already small freezer did not work very well. As an initial fix, we attached Velcro to keep the door closed. This worked for a short period of time, but not very well. Then we watched a YouTube video on how to really fix the door, purchased the necessary parts, and now our freezer door is working like new! 

• Fantastic Fan cover that broke: After replacing the original Fantastic Fan, we must not have properly closed the cover of the new fan. Driving to Michigan, we realized that the cover on the new fan was broken. We called our RV maintenance person and he nicely suggested that this was not a manufacturer’s defect so must be user error (we agree). After calling around to several Camping World stores in the area, we found the cover we needed in the Birch Run store. As we were visiting friends, we borrowed their ladder and replaced the cover. We are very careful to close the fan properly now!

• Fixed peeling clear coat: Because our van is a bit older, some of the clear coat was cracking and peeling. We purchased some car paint and clear coat at our local AutoZone store, scraped off the old, and put on new. We are very happy with how the new coat looks.

• Changed the generator oil: We were pretty sure that no one had changed the oil in our van’s generator in a long time, if ever. So we watched a YouTube video, read information on the Interstate Blog and changed the oil.