17FQ Modifications

[Homersimpson]

When they reversed the floor plan, they located my water pump under one bench and the power box in the other bench. But those benches move with the slide, so they must have moved them again.

[patfitz]

Originally Posted by WNY_Clipper

Welcome to the group!

Is that your water pump mounted in your basement area? Does anyone else have theirs mounted there? Is that specific to the units with a slide?

And I'm not sure what happened, but all of your pictures are appearing upside down.

Yes pump in basement not sure on why the pic are showing that way. I will have to have the kids show he how to fix that.

[WNY_Clipper]

Originally Posted by patfitz

Yes pump in basement.

Is it protected or just out in the open like that?

[patfitz]

Originally Posted by WNY_Clipper

Is it protected or just out in the open like that?

It just sits out I will probably build a box to cover.

[WNY_Clipper]

Originally Posted by Ky-N

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

What electric tongue jack did you go with?

[Ky-N]

I caught this one on sale when I was picking up some other things. It seems to be on sale quite often. 2,500lb Electric Tongue Jack - Stromberg Carlson JET-2500 - Tongue Jacks - Camping World

[randomabstract]

Originally Posted by clearn4

How did you install the 12V outlets and where did you connect the power for those?

Thank you

I'm sorry that I didn't see this post early. Have been very sick for many months. Starting to recover.

I mounted these along with the matching switches down on the vertical panel alongside the bed. They are switched to get rid of any parasitic drain. Probably overkill

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010T3D1CQ

Since I moved the propane regulator on the front diamond plate, I had a hole that needed to be filled. Put a hard grommet through the diamond plate and ran 10 gauge stranded wire into the basement. From there I split it off so both sides of the bed have both USB power and 12V automotive power.

I wanted to plug in a full sine wave inverter to power laptops, etc. Nice to have power (fused) coming straight from the batteries.

Hope that I won't be sorry about the diamond plate intrusion. Gooped it up well with caulking.

I will try to get some pictures once I get the trailer out of storage.

[WNY_Clipper]

Originally Posted by randomabstract

Since I moved the propane regulator on the front diamond plate, I had a hole that needed to be filled. Put a hard grommet through the diamond plate and ran 10 gauge stranded wire into the basement. From there I split it off so both sides of the bed have both USB power and 12V automotive power.

Why did you move the LP regulator and where did you move it to?

[WNY_Clipper]

Replaced my cheap range vent with a JR Products Endura Vent. Hopefully no more annoying flapping throughout the night!

[BC.campr]

Haven't had the pleasure of the flapping vent thing...will have to investigate a little.

BTW...I moved our regulator off the diamond plate when I added the second LP tank and moved it onto the bracket supplied to hold the tanks down. Thinking that's what randomabstract did with his?

[BC.campr]

Got busy adding a drawer under the right side cabinet of the sink this week. It works out great for all the big flippers and spatulas for the stove. Added a strip of 1/2" behind the veneer on the right side to mount the runners to and made a dropper for the left side to mount to. With the doors closed you don't even know it's there...
Think the only thing left this year is add the external quick disconnect outlet for the BBQ...bought all the goodies and hope to get this done on the weekend.

[WNY_Clipper]

Originally Posted by BC.campr

Got busy adding a drawer under the right side cabinet of the sink this week. It works out great for all the big flippers and spatulas for the stove. Added a strip of 1/2" behind the veneer on the right side to mount the runners to and made a dropper for the left side to mount to. With the doors closed you don't even know it's there...
Think the only thing left this year is add the external quick disconnect outlet for the BBQ...bought all the goodies and hope to get this done on the weekend.

That came out great!

[BC.campr]

Thanks WNY, happy with the result on the drawers...

So the next mission is the outlet. Here's the goodies needed and the distribution block that I'm taping into. I ended up with a 15' hose, the ends of the block are 1/4" NPT as are the connections into the back of the coupler. I'll step this thru in a couple of posts.

[BC.campr]

First thing first was to mount the location of the quick connect, and tighten all the fittings holding it in place. There was a 1/4" hole in the main frame on the trailer that I enlarged to about 3/4". I then installed a protective grommet (unlike the factory) around where the hose would need to go thru the steel frame and under the trailer main frame, the grommet will protect the hose from chafing. I made sure to use the yellow gas tape for the job when joining the hose to coupler. I used a stainless mounting bracket I had left over from a radio install for the coupler mount. Stainless washers on either side of the bracket and a thick rubber washer holds the coupler very secure when all tightened into place.

[BC.campr]

So then it was only a matter of undoing the existing tech screws and adding another shielded hose mounting clamp to each existing location to carry the hose I added. Pretty straight forward really. I taped up the open end of the hose while I was running it to ensure it kept clean prior to the final connection to the hub. I installed a "1/4" female to 1/4" male 90 degree elbow" into the block first then the "3/8" flare (hose side) to 1/4" NPT male" into the elbow. Without the elbow in the distribution block the hose was jammed tight to the frame and was kind of tight for my liking, the elbow gave it some better clearance. I had to demount the distribution block (2 tech screws) to mount the elbow in place. Now it was just a matter of tightening everything down, then time to check the connections. I carefully used soap and water to check all the connections under pressure to ensure there were no leaks. Everything was perfect no issues. Now it's time to go camping I think!

[Kenrod]

Originally Posted by BC.campr

Thanks WNY, happy with the result on the drawers...

So the next mission is the outlet. Here's the goodies needed and the distribution block that I'm taping into. I ended up with a 15' hose, the ends of the block are 1/4" NPT as are the connections into the back of the coupler. I'll step this thru in a couple of posts.

So that distribution block/rubber hose setup is how your trailer was made?
My 2014 has copper tubing that runs all the way to the water heater with a T fitting under the trailer where it goes up into the kitchen area.
I had thought about trying to add a connector in the same spot but my grill has the regulator built in so it would have to be from the tank side of the regulator to work. I just use one of those adapters that goes on the tank and run a hose from there to the grill.
I definitely like your setup better. If I hadn't got the grill and adapter given to me I would be all over this.
Nice job!

[Kenrod]

Originally Posted by WNY_Clipper

That came out great!

X2!
Love that setup much better than the drawer above the furnace folks have done. What brand/color stain did you use? Looks to be a nice match!
Great job!

[Homersimpson]

BC.campr put a lot of thought into installing that gas line (grommets, yellow tape, etc.), and there is a lot to be learned from his detailed writeup. I have recently been looking at adding a 4-port adapter to the tank connection, as sold by Camco or Stansbroil, but this is making me reconsider.

I see we have returned to the original post, when WNY wrote:

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

[Homersimpson]

Here is what DW and I finally installed as a backsplash. After looking at various options, we chose Fasade panels. They come in 18"x24" sections, with a great veriety of textures and finishes. Lowes and Home Depot both carry them but only stock four different styles, so we ordered what we wanted thru Amazon. Quilted texture with oil-rubbed finish:
Attachment 138621
The size of the panels was perfect for our little cooktops, with one on the side and another in the back. Other than a litle edge trimming with scissors, the only cutting was for around the vent hood. The instructions said to use either double-sided tape or silicone-based adhesive to mount the panels. Using the "belt and suspenders" approach, I reasoned that the adhesive would do a better job on the panels, but the tape would be cleaner on the edge moldings. Most important, DW loved the finished look.

[Homersimpson]

Sorry.