8327SS Camper Mods

[arich4387]

After a year in our trailer I have had some things I have wanted to do to it. One issue we have had is putting a bike rack on the back bumper. We had 4 bikes on a 1100 mile trip and they bounce way too much and bent the back bumper. I ended up cutting the thin square tube bumper and put on a 3/16" 4X4 square tube that will carry some weight.


The issue is that the sewer hoses will not fit in the new bumper so I put a 5X5 PVC fence post under the frame on the front of the trailer.



Now after beefing up the back bumper I mounted a swing out grill. It seems to work well.



I also moved the spare tire off the back bumper and put it under the propane tanks on the front hitch.


I also mounted a TV in the front bedroom.


One issue we have had since we bought the trailer is that since we have put a residential mattress in it the wardrobe slide hits the taller mattress. I took the nightstand on the opposite side and cut 6 inches off it so the mattress can slide away from the slide.


The next thing I am looking to do is to change out the analog thermostat to a digital one. Has anyone had a good experience with putting a residential style thermostat in? Do the wire line up correctly? Or should I just buy the digital Coleman Mach thermostat?

Any other Mods you guys have done that worked out well?

[rockfordroo]

The Coleman Mach will be plug-and-play and will give you fan speed control.

I used a Honeywell RTH-111 from Home Depot. I added a switch to allow fan speed control. If you don't want to add the switch to the T-stat, you could install a 2 position RV-style switch in the wall next to the T-stat (which I may do this year - the switch I added to the T-stat is kinda small). I have the RV switch part # in the wiring pic. OR you can just pick a speed and only wire that one to the G connection and only have 1 speed.

The Honeywell's brain is battery powered, so you won't need the ground wire if you go this route. The Coleman Mach's brain is powered by the 12VDC from the camper, so it needs a ground. See pics and attached wiring diagram.

[arich4387]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

The Coleman Mach will be plug-and-play and will give you fan speed control. I used a Honeywell RTH-111 from Home Depot. I added a switch to allow fan speed control. If you don't want to add the switch to the T-stat, you could install and 2 position RV-style switch in the wall next to the T-stat (which I may do this year - the switch I added to the T-stat is kinda small). I have the RV switch part # in the wiring pic. OR you can just pick a speed and wire that one and only have 1 speed.

The Honeywell is battery powered, so you won't need the ground wire if you go this route. See pics and attached wiring diagram.

I did end up installing a Honeywell thermostat tonight. I found that wiring diagram (assuming that it is yours) on another post and it went very smoothly. I am painting the plastic case around the thermostat black so it will match the interior better. Here is the switch coming in the next couple days I will be putting in next to it.

[rockfordroo]

The JR products switch in my diagram is 2 position; up would be one speed, down would be the other speed. The one you're planning to use "appears" to be a three position (i.e., center off). If so, be very careful that you don't get it into the Off position while running the AC or it will freeze up very quickly.

[arich4387]

Finished the thermostat install. Painted it black to match the rest of the fixtures.

[Wiscampsin]

Nice job on all your mods!

[arich4387]

Originally Posted by Wiscampsin

Nice job on all your mods!

Thanks.