RV Upgrades What Do You Spend $

[Oaklevel]

Not too much new added here....... in first few years.

2nd 30A service about $100
2nd AC about $300
Splurged bought new unused used 5th wheel hitch $200 (use it for my other trailer as well.
Plastic hangers for towels $5
Water hose and sewer line $100

About time to replace the original tires though.

[325BH]

Originally Posted by Oaklevel

Not too much new added here....... in first few years.



2nd 30A service about $100

2nd AC about $300

Splurged bought new unused used 5th wheel hitch $200 (use it for my other trailer as well.

Plastic hangers for towels $5

Water hose and sewer line $100



About time to replace the original tires though.

What do you mean by 2nd 30 amp service? You have two different service connections?

[Oaklevel]

Originally Posted by 325BH

What do you mean by 2nd 30 amp service? You have two different service connections?

Yes we have two independent 30A service connections. This is to run to ACs on a 30A trailer. Will not work everywhere but works everywhere we go.

[wicked1]

Originally Posted by Oaklevel

Yes we have two independent 30A service connections. This is to run to ACs on a 30A trailer. Will not work everywhere but works everywhere we go.

How do you run two separate 30amp circuits at the CG Poles bc all the ones I have see have a 50 & 30 and one 15 amp never 2 30's unless you step down the 50 to 30, but curious how the pole supports all that draw at the same time

[Oaklevel]

Originally Posted by wicked1

How do you run two separate 30amp circuits at the CG Poles bc all the ones I have see have a 50 & 30 and one 15 amp never 2 30's unless you step down the 50 to 30, but curious how the pole supports all that draw at the same time

I use both the 30A and the 50A plug in. The trailer does not pull more than 50A combined so there is not been a problem.

[The_Rhino]

In 2014 we bought a mildly-used TT for $20K & spent another $2750 on:

$350 Comfy Dynasty Mattress
$700 Maxxis Tires, metal valve stems, & installation
$550 (2) Deluxe MaxxAir Fans, butyl tape & caulking for DIY
$250 30A Extension, 50A to 30, 20A to 30, extra fuses, etc.
$100 Household FW filter & adapters, extra FW hoses
$300 32 Gallon Barker Waste Tote & 40 Gallon FW bladder
$300 Tire Pressure Monitoring System
$125 Bicycle Quick Release Mounts for reversed dinette seats

In 2015 ($1000):
$300 Awning Pole kit (OldCoot), Poles (Turbs), quality straps & anchors
$500 Like-new fiberglass cap for TV - keeps everything dry
$ 75 replaced all lights with LEDs
$125 additional AA powered LEDs in pantry, closets, etc.

In 2016 ($1600)
$200 2nd 30A panel, 30A receptacle & wiring, extra outlets/kitchens
$300 Open Box Whirlpool 11.8 cu. ft. residential fridge
$100 2000W Inverter (Newegg)
$100 2nd 12V Battery & wiring to fridge
$135 Prodigy P3 Brake Controller
$750 (2) WEN Yamaha 2000 generator clones & 30A adapter

In 2017 ($500+) - yet to be purchased:
$300 BumperQ - Custom Mount for Weber Q Grill
$250 Weber Q2200 Grill

2018 ($1200+) - Before Trip Out West
$800 2nd A/C wired-into previously installed 2nd 30A panel
$300 Replace (2) 12V Batteries with (2) 6V...

Obviously some stuff can stay with us but we will likely upgrade to a MH in about 5 years & not need some of this stuff...

[metalsideup]

Dang, after looking over some of these lists, I think I should have considered looking at used rigs a little more than springing for a new one...one that I've dropped my fair share of credit card receipts into!

[jstcruizen16]

Ours had pretty much everything we wanted up front at least for hubby, eventually when we start using it more long term, (When he retires) we want to get a sleep number bed but for now I'm putting my own personal touch in it.

[wicked1]

Originally Posted by The_Rhino

In 2014 we bought a mildly-used TT for $20K & spent another $2750 on:

$350 Comfy Dynasty Mattress
$700 Maxxis Tires, metal valve stems, & installation
$550 (2) Deluxe MaxxAir Fans, butyl tape & caulking for DIY
$250 30A Extension, 50A to 30, 20A to 30, extra fuses, etc.
$100 Household FW filter & adapters, extra FW hoses
$300 32 Gallon Barker Waste Tote & 40 Gallon FW bladder
$300 Tire Pressure Monitoring System
$125 Bicycle Quick Release Mounts for reversed dinette seats

In 2015 ($1000):
$300 Awning Pole kit (OldCoot), Poles (Turbs), quality straps & anchors
$500 Like-new fiberglass cap for TV - keeps everything dry
$ 75 replaced all lights with LEDs
$125 additional AA powered LEDs in pantry, closets, etc.

In 2016 ($1600)
$200 2nd 30A panel, 30A receptacle & wiring, extra outlets/kitchens
$300 Open Box Whirlpool 11.8 cu. ft. residential fridge
$100 2000W Inverter (Newegg)
$100 2nd 12V Battery & wiring to fridge
$135 Prodigy P3 Brake Controller
$750 (2) WEN Yamaha 2000 generator clones & 30A adapter

In 2017 ($500+) - yet to be purchased:
$300 BumperQ - Custom Mount for Weber Q Grill
$250 Weber Q2200 Grill

2018 ($1200+) - Before Trip Out West
$800 2nd A/C wired-into previously installed 2nd 30A panel
$300 Replace (2) 12V Batteries with (2) 6V...

Obviously some stuff can stay with us but we will likely upgrade to a MH in about 5 years & not need some of this stuff...

Nice list, btw I bought the Weber Q2200 last season, hands down best grill, in fact Got a Weber Q3200 as a gift for home from my company. Gave old Coleman to ex wife, hated that clumsy grill so heavy as well.

[wicked1]

Originally Posted by metalsideup

Dang, after looking over some of these lists, I think I should have considered looking at used rigs a little more than springing for a new one...one that I've dropped my fair share of credit card receipts into!

For us first rig was used, cleaned and customized it fixed everything myself then traded for a new Roo, waste of $. I lost some but not a lot then found a really clean good shape used 2013 Crusader 295RST Touring Edition, now since we are keeping this one for 3-5 I did Upgrades wife wanted and some I liked, but best investment so far is the Atwood Air Command Bedroom Non Ducted AC with LED Display and remote.

All the $ we saved not buying new we could at least upgrade what we wanted and get it to be the rig we love. Still a work in progress but will have it all done by Memorial Day for the season.

Next rig for retirement if we get there will be a toy hauler so we can travel and use garage for storage, but for now we have a unit that fits all our needs.

Bless Amazon and their pricing and free shipping also Lowes and HD were valuable as well.

[spock123]

Yesterday I installed a fuel filter on my 100 gallon fuel tank, wasn't much just 60 bucks. I brought the tank years ago, about $900 bucks.

[wicked1]

Originally Posted by spock123

Yesterday I installed a fuel filter on my 100 gallon fuel tank, wasn't much just 60 bucks. I brought the tank years ago, about $900 bucks.

I looked at upgrading Factory tank from 26 to 60-80 or 100 gal just not worth the $, especially in the future if I go for an F450 for a toy hauler.

We like the breaks we get with the 26 gal tank forces us to stretch every fill up

[spock123]

Originally Posted by wicked1

I looked at upgrading Factory tank from 26 to 60-80 or 100 gal just not worth the $, especially in the future if I go for an F450 for a toy hauler.

We like the breaks we get with the 26 gal tank forces us to stretch every fill up

I still stop as I pump the fuel in with a 12 volt pump. I have a long cord that I hook to the truck battery. My Silverado tank is 36 gallon but I have to stop before I get low on fuel. My kidneys work overtime it seems, I usually drink something when I'm driving and my bladder seems to have gotten smaller

[A32Deuce]

Drinks got bigger!

[SidecarFlip]

I'm pretty handy and cheap as well (you have to either be handy or have a big wallet) with most any FR product anyway.....

Lets see: Added a second muffin fan on the back side of the fridge to increase the cooling efficiency $25.00 on E-bay

Added insulation between the fridge cabinet and the surround that FR conveniently forgot Roll of R13 unfaced 8 bucks at Lowes

Added an upper baffle over the condenser to channel the air (FR forgot that too... Free, scrap galvanized sheet from the shop

Roll of Butyl rubber sealing tape for the upper vent...15 bucks, E-bay

CREE LED bulbs all around the outside (inside was already LED).... 100 bucks at SuperBrightLEDs.com

Furrion wireless back up cam (Christmas present from my DW) Passed on wiring it into the clearance lights and ran a seperate wire and rocker switch.

Canned the Deep Cycle 12 volt batteries and went with Trojan 6 volts, 2 in series.... 200 bucks plus cables and lugs

AIMS Power 1500 watt PSW remote switching inverter.... $350.00 on line.

Carefree of Colorado side mount awning... 400 bucks from RV Wholesalers.

Put everything in myself, but then I'm handy and I knew going in that being an FR product, I would be fiddling with it.

I'm sure more 'stuff' will pop up.

[wicked1]

Originally Posted by SidecarFlip

I'm pretty handy and cheap as well (you have to either be handy or have a big wallet) with most any FR product anyway.....



Lets see: Added a second muffin fan on the back side of the fridge to increase the cooling efficiency $25.00 on E-bay



Added insulation between the fridge cabinet and the surround that FR conveniently forgot Roll of R13 unfaced 8 bucks at Lowes



Added an upper baffle over the condenser to channel the air (FR forgot that too... Free, scrap galvanized sheet from the shop



Roll of Butyl rubber sealing tape for the upper vent...15 bucks, E-bay



CREE LED bulbs all around the outside (inside was already LED).... 100 bucks at SuperBrightLEDs.com



Furrion wireless back up cam (Christmas present from my DW) Passed on wiring it into the clearance lights and ran a seperate wire and rocker switch.



Canned the Deep Cycle 12 volt batteries and went with Trojan 6 volts, 2 in series.... 200 bucks plus cables and lugs



AIMS Power 1500 watt PSW remote switching inverter.... $350.00 on line.



Carefree of Colorado side mount awning... 400 bucks from RV Wholesalers.



Put everything in myself, but then I'm handy and I knew going in that being an FR product, I would be fiddling with it.



I'm sure more 'stuff' will pop up.

I agree owning an RV you either need deep pockets or to be handy, I think it is a 50/50 split but might lean towards folks doing stuff on their own.

That being said I think everyone has a list of what they want, then either time or $ stands in the way.

I like seeing all the photos and upgrades, bright ppl on this forum and I have learned a lot.

[spock123]

I had forgot about the four six volt Trojans

[wicked1]

The original idea wasn't to pry into what ppl spent but just how much customizing someone does? We bought our 2013 to keep for years so making it our own, and improving it. I know some ppl keep upgrading every unit they get, spoke to a guy who buys a new unit every 2 years and does all sorts of things to it. That seems like a waste of $ but who am I to tell someone how to spend their hard earned money.

We are doing Upgrades or improvements that will give us the best bang and most comfortable experience.

[jstcruizen16]

I agree wicked, I really wanted a new one but just couldn't justify the money for something that we may not end up even liking, lol, hubby and I have never camped once , living in Florida most of our friends have boats , the kind with cabins that cost alot, even used. We originally were looking for something used to fix up and put in our back yard for out of town guest as we lost our guestroom when we downsized , got a steal on our 2016 so we jumped on it . We are taken her on her maiden voyage in 2 weeks at jetty park

[MaineCampingFan]

Originally Posted by wicked1

Curious to see how much time and money <>

Much of the time, as some others have indicated, as RV owners we want to busy ourselves with our hobby. Or as I call it, "dubbin around". Many mods are nice-to-haves while others are perceived as needed. Certainly the memory foam mattress topper I purchased would be considered necessary in my mind given how terrible stock camper mattresses are. I think that was $135'ish. I got along okay the first season without a slide topper. And, I thought I would be just fine without, although my previous camper had one. Yeah.....not so much. Despite cleaning off the slide before closing, I still got 'stuff' inside not to mention worrying about damaging the seal. So, had the topper installed, about $600 out the door. While I have the skills to DIY, I can't hold both ends at the same time. I believe these 2 were important.

The grab bar on the door? Fun to install and dub around on. New shower head? Yep. Didn't even use the one that came with the trailer. Oxygenics it was. Probably the first piece of useful information from this forum when I joined. Battery switch? Occupied some of my day and was fun. Maxx vent covers? Well, duh.....need venting when it's raining.

Oh, and tools. I hate taking tools from the barn, into the camper and then returning them to the barn after each trip. So, tools. Standard stuff and a torque wrench. Even a full size hammer head with a 4 inch handle. DW asked 'Why did you buy that kind of hammer' "Well", I replied, "I have no idea. Because I saw it, I guess". I don't think you could drive a 6 penny nail with it, let alone accomplish something with it. One of those impulse things.

How much I have spent? Dunno, haven't kept track really. Except for that hammer. That was a bargain at $4.95. I will say, however, the enjoyment i get from camping, from dubbing around on the campah (Maine speak for camper) is priceless.