Aviators, Post Your Mods!

[Blackhat6mike]

Wish I could get my DW to cook, but due to survival, I do all the cooking. BTW, you snowbirds can keep this freezing weather. It isn’t supposed to freeze down here, but we have seen temps in the 20s twice this year.

[Naviator]

So I did a TV upgrade in the WF today. I went with a 43” Sony X800E HDR. I wanted to keep with the Sony compatibility of the home theater, but more importantly, wanted to be able to use a fully adjustable wall mount to be able to adjust the TV for optimum viewing if I’m sitting on the couch. 43” is the max that will allow this. The mount came from Home Depot and is quite robust. The wall that the mount is attached to is about 3/4” thick. The original mount that was used with the 32” Sony that came factory was fastened with 1/2” wood screws, with half of them missing. So the new mount is attached with 5/16X3/4” bolts that go all the way through the wall and backed by 5/16” T-nuts. I will find a nice rectangular picture to cover the T-nuts in the bathroom.

Not sure why the pics are rotated, sorry.

[KenHwy61]

Nice job on the tv upgrade! Just to give you another idea, I added a second medicine cabinet over the toilet which in your case might cover up the t-nuts. On another note, I just got back from the Minneapolis RV show and after walking through a hundred different campers I have say there is still nothing out there like the Aviator.

[Naviator]

Originally Posted by KenHwy61

Nice job on the tv upgrade! Just to give you another idea, I added a second medicine cabinet over the toilet which in your case might cover up the t-nuts. On another note, I just got back from the Minneapolis RV show and after walking through a hundred different campers I have say there is still nothing out there like the Aviator.

Thanks Ken. I did think of a small cabinet of sorts. I’ll have to see what’s available.
I’ll have to agree with you. I don’t think there are any Travel Trailers out there that are quite like ours. I’ll just keep enjoying what I have and keep her in top shape!

[mwammack]

Originally Posted by Blackhat6mike

Snowtosurf asked for these.

Hey Blackhat Mike. I have owned a 2013 Aviator for 2 years. I have dealt with numerous issues most of which resulted in my not being the first owner and some of the weaknesses that FR built into it trying to "save money". Having said that, I have most of them worked out.

I saw the pics of the solar panels you installed. Looks like you did a great job. Where did you get the info that helped you install them or did you just sort it out as you went?

[Blackhat6mike]

I’m an electronics tech, so it was easy for me to put it together. I started with just a 10 watt panel to keep the batteries up and started adding panels from there. I turned the system on and the onboard converter off and haven’t looked back since. Never a problem.

[Naviator]

So I replaced the bathroom faucet today. While the original was nice and made of metal, the spout was way to close to the edge of the sink. Hard to wash hands and messy. So I replaced it with a nice Delta faucet form the HD. Same oil bronze finish and the spout is now 5” out vs the original 2.75”.

[KenHwy61]

Naviator, I really like how elegant that faucet looks and the way it matches the curved kitchen faucet. We have been considering a copper bathroom sink bowl but now you have me thinking about doing the faucet as well. When we retire, my wife and I plan on travelling extensively so I am motivated to make my Aviator as nice and comfortable as possible. So just when I was starting to run out of ideas you gave me another!

[Naviator]

I’m not sure what the little shelf on the kitchen cabinet doors were originally intended for, but spice jars wouldn’t fit in mine. So I cut pieces of 3/8” poplar square stock to bring the clear plastic band out further and reattached it all with 1 1/4” brass wood screws and washers. Now I can put spice jars up there.

[Naviator]

Thx Ken. If you decide to go this route, you’ll have to take a half round file and open the outer edges of the counter top. They are square holes originally and the residential faucets uses the standard round fittings to attach to the counter top surface. You’ll also need to extend the water supply lines to reach the fixture. Probably some flexible hose solutions for this, but I went with splicing in some new PEX hoses with clamps. Also reused the original brass connectors that go to the fixture.

[Naviator]

So I had lots of water leaking out of my WF’s belly pan while camping. Not what I wanted to see as I thought I’d have to remove the belly pan. BUT, I did some investigating and found the culprit without removing the belly pan. And just to point out, this was a PITA to do with a lot of swearing and body contorting and tore up arm lol. The leak was a busted P-trap connector at the shower drain. Most of the drain water was just dumping into the belly pan. If you remove the lower grill crate below the bedroom TV, close the sliding bedroom door most of the way, and look up into that hole, you’ll see the P-trap plumbing. The attaching ring split open allowing the trap to fall away from the shower drain. It’s made of ABS and can be purchased at HD or Lowe’s as a mobile home piece. BUT, mine was modified at the factory to be a little longer. So I had to get some 2” ABS pipe and coupler to replicate what I had. I also used a stainless clamp around the connector but to possible prevent this from happening again. Let me tell you, removing and replacing this with one arm is no easy task! Maybe dropping the belly pan would be easier?? Here’s some pics.

[270S]

Unfamiliar that Aviator is a 5th wheel model, I thought his was a thread for Pilots - LOL. Seems great support for the members.

[Naviator]

Aviators are a rare TT. I believe the Pilots had similar floor plans, but a different shell and materials used

[270S]

Originally Posted by Naviator

Aviators are a rare TT. I believe the Pilots had similar floor plans, but a different shell and materials used

You misinterpreted what I was trying to say - Pilots as in Pilots that fly airplanes - LOL!

[Naviator]

Originally Posted by 270S

You misinterpreted what I was trying to say - Pilots as in Pilots that fly airplanes - LOL!

Hahaha, my bad lol.

[KenHwy61]

Originally Posted by Naviator

So I had lots of water leaking out of my WF’s belly pan while camping. Not what I wanted to see as I thought I’d have to remove the belly pan. BUT, I did some investigating and found the culprit without removing the belly pan. And just to point out, this was a PITA to do with a lot of swearing and body contorting and tore up arm lol. The leak was a busted P-trap connector at the shower drain. Most of the drain water was just dumping into the belly pan. If you remove the lower grill crate below the bedroom TV, close the sliding bedroom door most of the way, and look up into that hole, you’ll see the P-trap plumbing. The attaching ring split open allowing the trap to fall away from the shower drain. It’s made of ABS and can be purchased at HD or Lowe’s as a mobile home piece. BUT, mine was modified at the factory to be a little longer. So I had to get some 2” ABS pipe and coupler to replicate what I had. I also used a stainless clamp around the connector but to possible prevent this from happening again. Let me tell you, removing and replacing this with one arm is no easy task! Maybe dropping the belly pan would be easier?? Here’s some pics.

Naviator, I also had to fix my shower drain a few years ago. I am impressed you were able fix it with one arm through the hole in the wall! I had to remove the underbelly. The nut cracked just like yours. I think they over-tighten them at the factory. Our kitchen cabinet spice rack had the same problem. In the bathroom, my wife really liked the faucet you put in so we decided to do the sink upgrade at the same time. The only problem was the new sink was exactly the same size as the opening so I couldn't over or under mount it. Now I have an inset sink but am really happy with how it looks. We are enjoying a week in a Gulf Shores Alabama RV park right now and have had a dozen people so far ask about the Aviator. They all say they have never seen one before. It is kind of fun to have something so unique.

[Naviator]

Sink looks great Ken!! Nice Fixture too haha
Anytime I take the WF out, I spend plenty of time explaining what it is lol. People think it's brand new and are shocked when I tell them it's a 2013 lol.
Enjoy your stay at Gulf Shores!!

[mwammack]

Thank you for your response. I'm sorry it has taken me a while to get back. Where do you store your batteries and did you have to install another breaker for your setup or were you able to utilize something on the existing panel?

[Dougo]

I’m looking at 2013 WF in northern Nevada @$29K
Has 4 new tires, repacked wheel bearings, upgraded paint appears good
Only seen in pictures
We leave Friday night to check it out Saturday
I love the look of these TT
Don’t know the number of unit yet
I don’t see that many recent post
My questions are
1. How are these units holding up at 5 Yrs old ?
2. There are 2 warped doors in kitchen, pantry and the one above it I think
3. Are there any major concerns/problems with these units ie walls construction separation etc
4. Would you be afraid to buy a used unit that you know nothing about

I appreciate any help
DougO
Two zero eight 9 4 1 -3-3-3-1

[Naviator]

If they were taken cared of, they hold up well. Both my Electra and WF are in excellent shape. I looked at a WF with the graphics paint before I bought my silver one and it was junk!!...for more than what I paid for mine!! Just depends who owned it and how well it was cared for. Keep in mind too that any RV, I don’t care WHO makes it, (even the expensive Airstream), they all require proper care and maintenance. Just my $.02.