2010 829RGSS - A few minor mods

[Willis]

Screen door...added a push bar, latch opener, replaced the "slider" door and panel with clear panels, and added some new weather-stripping.

The screen door slide was 24" and my door is 28". Was going to send the slider back then realized I could buy a piece of plexiglass at Home Depot to use for the fixed portion of the door. The plexiglass is much sturdier and clearer than the thinner plastic provided in the kit. However, the plexiglass is about 1/32" too thick for the top and bottom rails, which I had to carefully and tediously expand a bit so it would fit. A bit of work, but now very much sturdier than the stock opaque panel and when I'm sitting inside on the sofa I can see outside without obstruction.

The push bar makes the screen door MUCH stiffer and now it opens and closes with a nice solid feel. The latch opener works great so I don't have to use the slider panel every time I want to go out.

It's hard to see in the pics, but I also removed the cheap black sponge weather stripping that had already started to bind and "ball up" when the slider opened. I replaced it with 1/4" thick Duck-brand Premium Silicon tubular weather stripping ($10 at Wal-Mart). This weather stripping comes in a roll with two lengths attached parallel to each other. I split the pieces (they are prescored) and used just one of the "tubes" on the vertical section of the door panel. I used an un-split piece (two parallel tubes...see pic #3) and applied it to the door frame where the sliding panel touches. That gives me a good seal there now to keep out the critters even if the panel isn't closed all the way.

Some notes...I first tried the $5 weather stripping. It is more rubbery and even a bit tacky so the door would not slide properly. It also left gummy residue on the plastic. Get the tubular silicon based type.

Also, I was able to cut the plexiglass by first scoring a reference line then cutting with tin snips. A circular saw might have worked better, but I had left my saw at home. The tin snips worked well but you need to cut from the proper side and work slowly if you want a straight line since they are designed to cut curves.

Amazon.com: Camco 42183 RV Screen Door Cross Bar: Home Improvement

Amazon.com: Camco 43953 RV Screen Door Opener: Automotive

Amazon.com: Camco 45581 Clear RV Screen Door Slide Set: Automotive

[Willis]

Bedroom TV stand...had no value to us as we never watch TV in the bedroom. It was just a head-banger. So I took the TV stand off the wall and added a small fan (Honeywell Personal Fan from Wal-Mart for $15) instead. The fan was made to be wall-mounted, but I wanted to put it at an angle so it could be adjusted better. The feet on the fan's stand are hollow plastic tubes molded into the frame and were the PERFECT size for #10 mounting screws. All I head to do was remove some rubber feet and drill a hole on the top at each location. Only complaint is that the fan is nosier after being mounted than when it was free-standing. If I had to do it over again I'd add some rubber between the mount and the wall to absorb vibration. I'm also going to buy a rheostat of some sort so I can control the speed of the fan better.

Now, I had the old TV stand in my hand and wondered what I could do with it. I've always had a small folding work table for my computer, and realized this TV stand would make a nice folding computer desk. I used a wood cutting board as a "backer" so I could get bite in the wall studs (two boards would work just as well), then re-mounted the stand. It might look a bit low, but I made it slightly lower on purpose because it will be my laptop workstation. I just need to add "Lower computer desk" to the departure checklist so I don't rip it off the wall when the slide closes...

(The BEFORE picture is a stock photo so colors are different.)

[Willis]

Added a shower caddy to the shower...wife likes it a lot and no fumbling with bottles, etc. $30 at Wal-Mart. Also upgraded the shower head ($14 at Camping World).

[tmmar]

Very nice!! Did a great job.

BTW- When are you free? I have a couple of mods I want to do.

[Willis]

Stove area changes...removed the worthless spice-rack and replaced it with a knife-rack. I hated the flimsy black metal folding cover over the stove top so got rid of that too. Replaced it with an old cutting board we already had. To keep the cutting board top in place I used closet-pole brackets. I trimmed the edges of the brackets so that they fit perfectly on the stove top and the board does not move. Similar stove-top cutting boards were something like $30-50 at Camping World...my cost: $2 and 4 screws.

I then added a puck LED-light, but it doesn't really work all that well. Only $5 so no great loss. But I did replace the existing bulb in the range hood with the highest wattage they had at the auto parts store and that REALLY made a difference.

[Willis]

Security changes...changed the CH751 locks, added lug nut locks to all four tires and the spare, added locks to the hitch receiver pin, and a lock on the coupler latch. Still looking for a hitch lock. I've tried 3 different locks I had from previous trailers, then tried 3 different NEW ones and none of them would fit. Any ideas for this Flagstaff and why it's so hard to find a lock that fits? If I have to I will just resort to buying a cheap ball and locking that in place, but I don't think that is as secure as a "real" hitch lock.

[Willis]

Some other miscellaneous mods...screens on all openings and mothballs under the LP gas cover. Added bubble levels. Added locking "doors" to the rear bumper so neither the contents can fall out nor can insects get in. Added a bracket for holding my external water filter. Added a MaxxAir to the front vent and a MaxxAir II over the Fantastic Fan in the rear.

[Willis]

I must add that putting on the MaxxAir covers was a little tricky and I could have used 3 hands a few times. One very long screwdriver and one stubby screwdriver will come in handy. The MaxxAir II pictured above has hinges on one side so it can be opened for cleaning by simply removing two retaining clips.

[milzat]

Nice mods, Willis.
I like the new compartment door locks.

[Dbt803]

I really like the mods you have done!

[SaskCampers]

Very nice mods, I really like the new cover on the stove. I think I will do some of the outside stuff you have done and look for a nice wood cutting board.