17FQ Modifications

[hoops]

Originally Posted by Homersimpson

If you are keeping the 13” wheels, at least be sure to maximize your tire capacity. Like maybe a 185/80R13 8 ply load range D from a name brand. Otherwise, the tires may not be adequate for the load.

The newer ones come with 14” wheels, and I even considered increasing to 15”. But then, I learned that the 215/70R14 had a slightly higher capacity than the 205/70R15. So I replaced the 205/70R14 load range D China bombs with 215/70R14 load range E Goodyear Endurance.

Yes the set I might put on are 185/80/13 load range d

[Fluffywhitedogs]

Originally Posted by hoops

Yes the set I might put on are 185/80/13 load range d

That’s what I just put on [emoji16]

[thewheelman]

BC, what engine is your F150? 4wd? Thanks!

[BC.campr]

Hey the wheelman,
It’s the 3.5 ecobeast, with 4x4. It has the 10 speed tranny, very happy with it. Crazy amount of power...

[Homersimpson]

Installed an Anderson WDH and took everything for a test drive. Since our 17fq is relatively small and travel distances were short, I did without a WDH until now and it was okay. I have hopes for improvement with this, such as reduced sway and bounce, maybe better steering too.

[nickjmobile]

Finally convinced my wife TT camping beats hike in/hang camping. Graduated to a lightly used 2018 Clipper 17FQ. These 43 pages of mods are an inspiration and my to do list has many new ideas. Thank you. We’ve now been out twice and love it.

Mods to date:
1. Digital Thermostat for furnace
2. Shower Head (after 1st outing)
3. Tuft & Needle Queen Bed (before 1st outing)
4. 12v Tongue Jack
5. Dual Propane (previous owner mod)
6. Motion Sensor Puck Lights in Cabinets

To Do
1. 2 6v GC Batteries (charging as I type)
2. Install Volt Meter and DC outlet on Power Panel
3. Replace Inside Speakers (perhaps non working outside speakers too)
4. Replace Jensen Head Unit w/DVD HDMI Unit
5. Install HDMI Jack Near Cable Hook Up
6. Bed Extension For Queen Bed
7. Basement Lighting
8. Replace Basement Locks
9. Curved Shower Rod (still looking for 36” rod)
10. DC Outlet/Charging Port On Both Sides of Bed
11. Awning Light Strip
12. Perhaps Inverter For Boondocking
13. Stronger Bed Lift Arms

[BC.campr]

Welcome aboard nickjmobile....
Glad to hear you are liken the trailer. As you can see many of us with the 17fq love to customize them, it’s an addiction...lol.
Have fun with it and enjoy!

BC.campr

[Fluffywhitedogs]

Check out “Stromberg Carlson extend-a-shower”. You won’t regret it! [emoji6]

[WNY_Clipper]

Originally Posted by nickjmobile

Finally convinced my wife TT camping beats hike in/hang camping. Graduated to a lightly used 2018 Clipper 17FQ. These 43 pages of mods are an inspiration and my to do list has many new ideas. Thank you. We’ve now been out twice and love it.

Welcome to the group nickjmobile!

[thewheelman]

Welcome! You are now obligated to chronicle every modification with pics and detailed descriptions.....LOL! Have fun! Here's the shower rod mentioned above. Might find it somewhere else besides CW.....https://www.campingworld.com/extend-...efault&start=1

[nickjmobile]

Thanks for the welcome, it’s a great community. The shower rod, Vortex II fan, volt meter and stronger bed lift arms were ordered early this AM. Question, when you guys are tapping DC wires indoors are you using 3M scotchlok tap type connectors or running new wire?

[WNY_Clipper]

Originally Posted by nickjmobile

Thanks for the welcome, it’s a great community. The shower rod, Vortex II fan, volt meter and stronger bed lift arms were ordered early this AM. Question, when you guys are tapping DC wires indoors are you using 3M scotchlok tap type connectors or running new wire?

I don't like the tapping connectors. I will splice into the line and use crimp connectors like this:

[BC.campr]

I’ve used a combination of both. Ran new wires from the batteries when I installed the 12V outlets by the bedsides...power had to come from under the bed from the direction of the battery anyway. When I pulled power for the TV, there was existing power around the back of the radio and converter...so I just tapped one of them.
I’m lazy and grabbed the closest and easiest hot...lol.
BC.campr...

[thewheelman]

Ok, I installed a pair of fans behind the fridge and they are wired to come on when the temp hits a certain point. I've been looking back at previous post to confirm that I did it right. My fans lay back against the cooling vanes and PULL air across them. Makes sense that cooler air would be pulled in from the bottom and exhausted out the top.



Have I installed these correctly?

[WNY_Clipper]

Originally Posted by thewheelman

Ok, I installed a pair of fans behind the fridge and they are wired to come on when the temp hits a certain point. I've been looking back at previous post to confirm that I did it right. My fans lay back against the cooling vanes and PULL air across them. Makes sense that cooler air would be pulled in from the bottom and exhausted out the top.

Have I installed these correctly?

I have seen it done that way before...

I mounted mine fans basically between the lower access cover and upper cover, pointed up to direct air towards the fins. So they are drawing air in from the bottom cover and pushing it up past the fins and out the upper cover.

[Homersimpson]

My fan just exhausts out the upper vent at a set temp.

I also just changed from one propane bottle to two. One can be dedicated to auxiliary things like the Camp Chef oven or the Camco fire ring without affecting the trailer feed. Or of course, I just doubled my capacity.

[BC.campr]

Originally Posted by nickjmobile

Thanks for the welcome, it’s a great community. The shower rod, Vortex II fan, volt meter and stronger bed lift arms were ordered early this AM. Question, when you guys are tapping DC wires indoors are you using 3M scotchlok tap type connectors or running new wire?

Hey nickjmobile,
Which lift arms did you order? How did they work out?
Do they actually hold the mattress up correctly without having to hold it up with the back of your head? Lol
BCcampr...

[BC.campr]

Well after looking harder at the lift arms that hold up the mattress...I found out all you need to do to have the mattress stay up by itself is to move the lower mounts about 2” to the front. If you get it adjusted right, you end up with more access as it opens much wider AND you give it a little lift and it opens on its own.
I can’t believe that after fighting with this thing for the last couple years all it took was 5 minutes and some adjustment...lol.

[hbidlack]

Hi, we are about to enter season 4 with our 17fq. Last year I flipped the axle and the increased height was great, since we boondock in open fields for astronomy purposes. I also think it's time to upgrade/replace the cheap tires that came with the unit.

I've read several threads, and I would be grateful for your expert opinion -- Should I go to 15" wheels and tires? I know I want better tires, but I would also like a bit more height, so the bigger tires seems smart.

Experienced folks -- Should I go to 15" or just buy new 13"?

(my apologies, I know this has been discussed, but there are conflicting opinions across several threads, so I thought I'd ask directly

Thanks!

[hoops]

I would say yes go with the 15” With the axle flipped you got the space for it and you want the extra clearance. Plus you will have more tire options in that size!

I didn’t want to flip my axle so I stuck with the 13”