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Old 03-23-2017, 11:40 AM   #1
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17FQ Modifications

There has been a lot of discussion about modifications to our beloved 17FQ's, but they are usually side conversations in other threads and are scattered all over the place.

I thought it would be nice to have one place to post modifications that you have already done, thinking about doing, and having conversations about how to do them!

Our snow is just about all melted up here in WNY, so we are planning to pick-up our 17FQ from storage next weekend. I'm hoping to attack my list of projects before our camping season starts.

I would love to hear from others that have already tackled some of these projects and to learn what to do or not to do....

1) Front privacy curtains
2) Awning LED Strip
3) Backsplash around stove area
4) Shelves installed in cabinets above bed
5) LP gas splitter for grill
6) Replace shower head

Mike
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Old 03-23-2017, 12:44 PM   #2
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Some of the changes I have already preformed:

1) Installed Flat Screen TV
2) Replaced OEM radio with radio/DVD player
3) Installed recessed toilet paper holder
4) Installed dimmer control on light over bed
5) Installed digital thermostat
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Old 03-23-2017, 09:00 PM   #3
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Just to name a few, here is some of what has been done so far:

1.Flat screen TV
2.Digital thermostat AC control box so the fan will shut off
3.Drawers under table seat, bed and above furnace
4.Shelves in all cabinets kitchen and bed
5.Shoe storage under seat by door
6.Insulated and installed lights in basement
6.Replaced shower head
7.Installed Progressive hard wired surge protector
8.Flipped axle & installed shock absorbers
9.Added insulation around refrigerator left out at factory
10.Reduced the size of the table seat at doorway to make more room at entrance
11.Cleaned and replaced all windows & door caulking, looked like an ape finger painted it on and that is probably an insult to apes every where.
12.Replaced the 13" tires with Maxxis 15"
13.Wet bolts on spring shackles
14.Electric tongue jack
15.2 extra stabilizer jacks center frame to help stop bounce
16.2 step entrance steps
17.MaxAire exhaust in bathroom & cover
18.Cyclone sewer vent
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Old 03-24-2017, 09:27 AM   #4
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installed lights in basement
I think about doing this every time I have to grab something from under there

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Electric tongue jack
I also think of this every time we setup camp!

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2 extra stabilizer jacks center frame to help stop bounce
Did this help with the bounce?
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Old 03-24-2017, 07:25 PM   #5
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Did this help with the bounce?
Removed quit a bit but not all, the support I made for the step helped about as much as anything.
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Old 03-24-2017, 08:23 PM   #6
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ed
5) Installed digital thermostat
Which thermostat did you go with? I want to do this but I'm intimidated

And out of curiosity, by basement, do you mean side storage compartment? Or do the newer or FQ units have something different?
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Old 03-24-2017, 08:36 PM   #7
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Which thermostat did you go with? I want to do this but I'm intimidated

And out of curiosity, by basement, do you mean side storage compartment? Or do the newer or FQ units have something different?
I went with this thermostat:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H6ARNXO...l_5bmz8ewfvj_b

And yes, the basement is the side storage.
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Old 03-25-2017, 11:20 AM   #8
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17FQ mods

Thank you for starting this 17FQ thread. I like to tinker, and hope to try many of your collective ideas.
My first mod was to switch the refer door hinges from the left to right side. But it is not so simple on a Dometic refer as flipping the hinges on a Norcold refer. The Dometic requires a new hinge kit, but the job is easy after that and DW is happy.

My second mod was also for DW. She sleeps with a CPAP that runs on 120 volts AC or 12 volts DC when away from hookups. There is already an AC outlet on either side of the bed, but there was no DC outlet anywhere in the 17 FQ, only a USB port on one side of the bed. I replaced the USB port with one that also has a 12 volt socket and matches the nearby AC outlet.

My third mod was also at DW request; a curved shower rod to add a little room to the tiny shower. This was already detailed in another thread.

Just for me, I cut the cord and installed a waterproof L5-30 twist lock plug set. This seals the "mouse hole" on the side of the TT, and it is easier and cleaner to toss the coiled cord into the basement than to stuff it into the "hole". And if needed, you can add a waterproof extension cord or plug directly into a generator.
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Old 03-25-2017, 11:28 AM   #9
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17FQ mods

Ky-N, that smaller dinette sounds interesting. Details? Did it meet your needs?
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Old 03-25-2017, 11:34 AM   #10
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17FQ mods

WNY_Clipper, was there thermostat wire for both heat and AC, or heat only?
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Old 03-25-2017, 03:58 PM   #11
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WNY_Clipper, was there thermostat wire for both heat and AC, or heat only?
I installed a Heat Only 2 wire thermostat. Basically a digital replacement for the cheap one that came installed.
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Old 03-25-2017, 07:34 PM   #12
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Ky-N, that smaller dinette sounds interesting. Details? Did it meet your needs?
As for the thermostat we just got a Honeywell digital at Wally World, cheap enough and it works both the heat and AC nicely. The reduced dinette works really well. SWMBO sits on that side, when she does, and it was her idea to make the seat smaller so it would be easier for her to turn to see the TV mounted on the end of the cabinets. If I can remember I will get a few pics of it.
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Old 03-25-2017, 08:48 PM   #13
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Bought a 20 amp GFCI outlet to install on the air conditioner circuit. Will use a short piece of 12 gauge romex and locate on the bench near the power panel. Did you know that ALL of the outlets are on one 15 amp circuit, and the ac is the only thing on the only 20 amp circuit? My plan is to be able to plug in a portable electric heater when on hook-ups, and obviously not run the ac at the same time as the heater. That leaves the existing outlets free for their usual work, up to 30 amps overall for the trailer.

P.S. I had to lookup the SWMBO acronym, probably because DW says I don't obey her. If so, why were my first mods done for her?
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Old 03-26-2017, 07:21 AM   #14
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As for the thermostat we just got a Honeywell digital at Wally World, cheap enough and it works both the heat and AC nicely. The reduced dinette works really well. SWMBO sits on that side, when she does, and it was her idea to make the seat smaller so it would be easier for her to turn to see the TV mounted on the end of the cabinets. If I can remember I will get a few pics of it.
How/Where did you tie into the AC for a remote thermostat?
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Old 03-26-2017, 07:39 AM   #15
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Thank you for starting this 17FQ thread. I like to tinker, and hope to try many of your collective ideas.
My first mod was to switch the refer door hinges from the left to right side. But it is not so simple on a Dometic refer as flipping the hinges on a Norcold refer. The Dometic requires a new hinge kit, but the job is easy after that and DW is happy.
What is the layout of your FQ that you needed to switch your hinges? My kitchen is on the drivers side and the fridge is under the stove, right next to the Bathroom door, so the left hinged door is perfect for my layout.
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Old 03-26-2017, 09:48 AM   #16
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http://assets-cdn-interactrv.netdna-...6/mod82859.jpg
As you can see, mine is the polar opposite of yours, with the kitchen counter between the door and shower. When they reversed this, they forgot to reverse the refer.
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Old 03-26-2017, 11:19 AM   #17
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17FQ mods

What else is different?
Mine has a BAL Xgen frame and 14" wheels. They ruined the bench storage with the power box in the rear bench and the water pump in the front bench.

I suppose this change was to prepare for the slide out models. Mine is not a slide out.
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Old 03-26-2017, 02:07 PM   #18
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What else is different?
Mine has a BAL Xgen frame and 14" wheels. They ruined the bench storage with the power box in the rear bench and the water pump in the front bench.

I suppose this change was to prepare for the slide out models. Mine is not a slide out.
My power box is in my upper cabinet just to the right of the sink and my water pump is below my sink. I may have lost some upper storage, but I have nothing under either Seat, wide open.

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Old 03-26-2017, 03:19 PM   #19
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As you can see, mine is the polar opposite of yours, with the kitchen counter between the door and shower. When they reversed this, they forgot to reverse the refer.
I recently noticed that change - glad I got a '16 because I make full use of that space under both dinette seats.

As far as mine goes:

>Added an electric trailer jack
>Added 15" wheels and load range D tires
>Installed a new control board and digital thermostat for the AC (best mod ever)
>Installed a flat panel TV
>Installed a privacy curtain at foot of bed
>Replaced factory mattress with a 10" memory foam (second best mod)
>Installed magnet strip by range to hang utensils
>Made a range top cover to increase counter space
>Changed all exterior marker lights to LED
>Added a blue LED lighting strip under the frame with a remote control On/Off and dimmer
>Installed towel hangers in bathroom
>Installed a cellular wifi router that uses the SIM from my T-mobile phone and lets me stream video (Netflix, DirecTV Now) without it counting against my monthly data allotment.
>Installed a PLEX media server (hardwired to router) and AppleTV (wifi connection to router).

I'd really like to do something with the storage space under the front of the bed so it's of a pull-out style rather than lifting up the top with the added weight of the memory foam mattress.

I'd also like to upgrade the exterior antenna. The current fixed, low profile mount doesn't get very good reception.
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Old 03-26-2017, 04:56 PM   #20
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17FQ mods

That is an impressive electronics list. If like mine, the antenna is a Continuus 1500. They also have a better 2500 model, but I have not found it anywhere. Anyway, DW says ours is good enough for what we need.

I was considering two short drawers on either side of the lower bed, and a long drawer in the center of the foot of the bed. Maybe, someday...

For now, I am focused in small storage. I just ordered two small plastic drawers (8x18x2 inches each) to install under the table on either side of the table leg. DW wants to use these for silverware/utensils/etc.
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