Our Van Upgrades

[Sambob]

Hi CandMers,

I have created a new subject aimed at Reader's Van Upgrades... in a similar vein to that which is in the C&M magazine, tell us what upgrades you have made to your RV.

Provide as much information as possible, giving a complete list in one post, and can cover things like:

• Extra water tanks
  Ensuite modifications
  Hot water system & pressure pump
  Fridges / Freezers Heating / cooling
  Lighting
  Entertainment systems
  Awning
  Inverters/Chargers - Solar panel
  Reversing cameras
  Lifts/suspension upgrades

[Sterling Sal]

Hi Simon,

Great topic! I think we all like to see what others have done to their vans. It's pretty never-ending and heaps of fun!

Here we go...

We purchased a 2007 Jayco Sterling Outback 20.64-2 in April 2010.

We decided to do the following upgrades to make it better than new!

Changed the stereo from the standard Sphere to an Axis with colour head face, IPOD input, DVD/ CD/radio, two external waterproof speakers, 2 x 300 watt internal speakers mounted in the cabinetry, 2 x new 100 watt speakers in the roof.
Blaupunkt Amp (1000 watts) in the cupboard. Van now has quality surround sound that can really rock!

Changed Sphere telly to a LCD Kogan 12 volt, 22 inch, including DVD player

Solar panels added 2 x 140 watt Suntech panels
Morningstar Prostar 30 Amp Regulator
2 x new deep cycle 120 A/h batteries
Honda EU 20i generator
Now totally self sufficient

CTEK M300 25Amp battery charger, permanently fixed in the van

Safety Dave rear view camera on the back of van with HD screen and sound

Changed the standard air con to a new Dometic B3000+ reverse cycle air con with LED mood lights and remote

Trail-A-Mate jack and added Trail-A-Mate jacking points - welded onto van

Changed all lights internal and external to LED globes

Projector Inverter 300 watts

Fridge Switch

Computer fan to extract heat from our fridge. Temp sensing, comes on when over 30 degrees celcius

Full annex with screen doors

Caravan cover with two clear windows over the solar panels so they can still keep the batteries charged when the cover is on

Outside drop down picnic table added

Extra annex side external light

Sensor light near door

Saturn TV antenna

Portable alarm in van with remote

Satellite set up -
VAST box, Minimax folding dish, thru the wall connector

Telescopic ladder to reach onto the roof

Magazine racks added

On Yer Bike Folding bikes x 2

12'6"Portabote Folding Boat with 8HP Merc and Minn Kota electric for use on dams, etc when caravanning (no trailer required)

Prodigy P3 brake controller in Pajero

Pillowtop mattress for added comfort

Extra water filter outside in water line - B.E.S.T

Sterling bumper bar with jerry can holder attached

Offside sail track for shadecloth over the other side of the fan (and fridge)

Two handheld CB radios for communicating when reversing into a site (no more arguments!)

That''s about it for now. There's probably more, but I'll add it when I think of it!

Cheers,
Sally

[Sambob]

EXCELLENT Sally...

That is exactly the type of upgrade post we are looking for.

A perfect example!

[DonR]

Hi Sally
Do you mind telling me where on the dashboard you have installed the brake controller.
Waiting for new van to be delivered in August and having all the bells and whistles installed in my Pajero then. I can't see much room to install the controller.
Regards Don

[Sterling Sal]

Hi Don,

Please forgive me for my late response. I just haven't been on this Forum for a while.

We mounted out P3 in the usual left side, near the driver's leg, but a bit further in than usual, so not to bump it. It works well here and we also use it with our boat trailer set up.

Being LED you can read it fine and it doesn't need to be sticking out much.

We couldn't fine anywhere else to mount it.

Cheers,
Sally

PS MY HUBBY AND i ARE FEATURED IN READER'S RIGS UPGRADES THIS MONTH! (OUT TODAY 29TH JUNE) YIPPEE!!

[rainy]

hi sal did your upgrades add very much weight wise to the van

we havent done any upgrades as yet simon as the van was custom made for us last year and we havent found anything that we would change ,it was all included
but I can put photos of it here if you like
in the custom build we did away with one lot of seating so I could have a nice long bench in the kitchen

well done to sal I meant to say

[GeeCee]

Because we are non smokers the ash tray became superfluous. It came out and went into the console for when I sell the tug - the controller fitted perfectly into the cavity.

[4wd26]

Moved the tow hitch from the bottom of the chassis rails to the top- levels out the van behind the vehicle in my case

Added a custom rear bar to the van



meant that I had to relocate the van spare tyre, so used a ute spare tyre winch and put it under the van- and used a safety chain as secondary support.



Also added 32" MTR tyres on zero offset rims so that they could be used on either the tow vehicle or the van


replaced the foam seals on the bed ends with automotive rubber

I glued in the screws the upper cupboards used wood glue dries clear, or liquid nails what I had on hand. The idea is that the screws don't undo so the brackets are strong.

I didn't do the bottom cupboards- and found our "pantry" which is over the wheel and has 1200mm walls broke out. I have now replaced plastic brackets with alloy angle.

The central leg on the table while located with 6 pretty large screws did not stand up to the abuse of kids leaning on the edge (foot like the picture below). Solution was to place a alloy plate under the floor of the van and bolt down through the plate, this spreads the weight over a large area- been great ever since.


Added further insulation around the fridge etc pretty woeful what was there.

slowly evolving to our needs

[Sambob]

STERLING SAL 69 did it and is in issue 159.

http://www.candm.com.au/forum/viewtopic ... 10#p110610

Well done!

[rainy]

sorry to interupt simon ,
sterling sal how much extra weight did your up grade add to the van
tah