More 19RR Farkling!...Cutting big holes in the side!

[Terier]

Nice work! I like the door on the storage area too especially with it providing access from both inside and outside of the RV.

[Wobbles]

Originally Posted by Rbertalotto

Took the saw to the Forest River 19RR toy hauler today to add another cargo door on the right side....

Great job. Saw this post awhile back and saw that you were online tonight and decided to ask.
Can you go into some detail about what you looked for when deciding where to cut and what tools, template and thought processes you went through prior and during? You have made something that I want to have but, I am afraid to jump towards.

Thanks

[Rbertalotto]

First thing I did was find a door that matched the other side access. I wanted it to span as much of the underside bed area as I could.

I found a 42" door on Ebay from a seller that deals in RV surplus. The price was something like $35 with $30 shipping. And it is the same manufacturer as the other door on the camper, only bigger.

Once I had the door I needed to figure out where to cut. With a door this wide I was concerned with weakening the structure of the campers sidewall. But since I was going to extend the bed platform to this wall, I'd have the opportunity to install a header from the inside to create support.

So I grabbed my "Ponder Chair"....The chair I sit in when I'm pondering what to do next. And stared at the side of the trailer for a good half hour. "Do I really want to cut a huge hole in the side of my new trailer!!??"

I said "YES" and marked out the opening to be as flush with the floor as I could get it. I used one of those new vibrating paddle saws you see on TV. A few weeks ago I was at Harbor Freight and they were giving them away FREE! It did a fantastic job cutting the aluminum and the wood. Easy and no marks on the aluminum like the shoe of a saber saw might have left.

Slapped the door in, sealed it up with Marine 5200 from 3M and I was good to go. Easily one of the very best modifications I made to this trailer. Allows access to a HUGE storage area that was previously only accessible by lifting up the mattress (Which actually opened in the wrong direction), holding it up with your head and trying to lift things over the sides of the bed frame. What in God's name was Forest River thinking!

All the before and after pictures and story are here:

Forest River Cherokee Grey Wolf 19RR Toy Hauler | RVB Precision

[youroo]

Nice Mods but what the Hell is (Farkling)? Youroo!!

[Rbertalotto]

The word is generally accepted to mean a combination of "function" and "sparkle", hence, farkle.

Motorcycle enthusiasts may install accessories, called farkles (also spelled farkel), to customize their machine.
One source attributes the term to Pete Wells, the organizer of a 1997 Honda ST1100 rally
Nabble • Free Forum • Embeddable Web Apps,
{delete this line and join two halves for url}
-or-is-it-Farkle--p2354383.html

The term is well known in the sport touring community.

An enthusiast may be in the process of "farkling". The completed motorcycle would be all "farkled up". Radar detectors, Global Positioning System receivers, heated grips, and satellite radios are some of those farkles. Other accessories could be aftermarket seats, side and/or top cases or bar risers, which make the motorcycle more suitable for long miles.

F.A.R.K.L.E. -- Fancy Accessory Really Kool Likely Expensive

[youroo]

That answered why RVers just call them (MODs)! Youroo!!

[SargeInSoCal]

This thread has me "almost" ready to buy a 19RR - However the Sandstorm 18 offers a full size ramp (bigger patio) and twice the fresh water capacity (off grid rv-ing in AZ)

How would you solve the water capacity issue? I was thinking a roof mounted rack with a few portable fresh water bladders like these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Portable-RV-...BVydxj&vxp=mtr