Category Archives: Camper Mods

ProPride Weight Distribution Jack Upgrade

Camper Mods, Camper Upgrades,

Recently I posted a 25,000 mile update on our ProPride trailer hitch along with some maintenance tips. This got me to thinking about something I have wanted to do for about 3 years — replace the Weight Distribution Jacks that came with the hitch. This new version, which ProPride calls the v2 WD Jack (version 2) was released about 8 years after we purchased our hitch.

ProPride now includes the v2 jacks with a new hitch. The original version 1 jacks are no longer sold by the company, although they still have repair parts for them.

Why did I wait 3 years? Because there was nothing really wrong with the originals, other than it was somewhat difficult to remove the plastic propane tank cover. The old jacks did have a couple other idiosyncrasies, but they we’re deal breakers for me.

In this post I’ll discuss the installation of these new WD Jacks, which has already been a great upgrade. It will probably only interest those owners of ProPride hitches with the original version 1 WD Jacks, but some folks may appreciate my approach to solving problems. 

But first a few preliminary comments for the uninitiated —

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Our RV Solar System Upgrade

Camper Mods, Solar, Travel Trailer, ,

Sizing an RV Solar System: Part 4

For 10 years our travel trailer’s 280 Watt solar system served us well. We never had a dead battery, even when camping for 30 days in the same spot. Since retirement our camping habits have changed and it was time for some upgrades. This article will look into the options of upgrading (adding on) an existing solar system, along with some of the sand traps and water hazards of the upgrade path. Continue reading Our RV Solar System Upgrade →

Sizing An RV Solar System: Part 3

Camper Mods, Solar, , ,

How Much Power Will Your Solar System Actually Harvest?

In Part One and Two of this series we discussed how to measure how much energy is used daily, how to determine needed power storage (what size battery bank), and how to size the solar array.

This post (Part 3) will take a look at all the components and conditions that impact how much solar power will actually be generated. This is the final step to see how the previous calculations will really work for a real world RV solar systems. First we need to define some terms.

Continue reading Sizing An RV Solar System: Part 3 →

Camco Awning Anchor Kit

Camper Mods, Camper Upgrades, Travel Trailer,

This isn’t a review. It is just a first impression.

As I shared yesterday in my 20+ year review of the Camco Awning Hold Down Kit, I have been happy with the product. However, there are two things I don’t like about it:

  1. The strap that runs over the top of the awning can be difficult to set-up and usually requires the use of a step ladder and often assistance from Joyce.
  2. The strap applies force on the rafters, somewhat twisting them. Of concern is potential damage to the plastic pieces that lock the rafters into place.

The Camco Awning Anchor Kit solves both of these problems.

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RV Tank Monitor Solution: Mopeka Sensors

Camper Mods, Camper Upgrades, Travel Trailer, ,

A Simple and Elegant RV Tank Monitor Solution

Our travel trailer is almost 10 years old and the Tank Monitor has been a constant struggle. This system is the typical unit found on most RVs these days. First, it isn’t very accurate. Secondly, the sensors in the gray and black water tanks often become contaminated, requiring cleaning and flushing. Lastly, we don’t have a way to monitor our LPG (propane) levels.

In this post I will share installation tips, advantages and disadvantage of the Mopeka Tank Sensors.

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Endless Breeze 12 Volt Fan: Wall Mount Modification

Camper Mods

 

We’ve owned this fan for 19 years. It is reliable and durable as I mentioned back in 2017, which was a 14 year review.

But there has been one nagging inconvenience with it ever since we bought our 2014 Milan Travel Trailer. It isn’t a problem with the Endless Breeze. It’s a problem with our bedroom.

In this post I share how I fixed that inconvenience.

Continue reading Endless Breeze 12 Volt Fan: Wall Mount Modification →