BigJohnD's Mods to 28BHBE

[BigJohnD]

jlechmanik,
I redid everything for the most part. I used all new 2x2's on everything. Here's a picture of the bracing before the plywood was installed. My hinge is on top of the partition as well. On the struts, I did reuse the originals. As for placement, it was just a lucky guess I suppose, as they work great where they're at. I honestly don't remember how I figured the placement, but I was prepared for failure for sure.

[BigJohnD]

Here's the struts installed.

[jlechmanik]

I notice on your front wall you have vertical supports under the front rail. How did you set this up?

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[BigJohnD]

Here's another picture of those pieces. It's actually a spot to mount the inverter for the residential fridge, which I still haven't done.

[jlechmanik]

Finished my project. The bed is easy to lift up but doesn't stay up with 100# lifts. Not sure if I want to play with the struts to hold up the bed or just design a "kickstand"...

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[BigJohnD]

I think I just eyeballed where to mount the strut and got lucky. Not sure if they’re 100# ones, just whatever Jayco put on there. Maybe I got lucky as the bed comes up easy and relatively quick.

[Quantum]

Well I just spent the last 2 evenings reading through all the posts on this thread.

I have a similar trailer in many ways to yours, but mine is the Whitehawk 28BHKS. We opted for this model since (as others posted) it has more counter space with the kitchen slide out. Our previous 2010 Jayco 213 was a nice trailer for our family, but since the kids were getting bigger, I wanted more room. My wife agreed, but it had to have equal or more counter space than the 213. We found most trailers really don't have much counter space until we came across the 28BHKS.

We have the same hot bunk issue as well and I'm curious to see how you handle the duct work mod.

The only mods I've done so far is home made "JT Strongarms" which are absolutely amazing and cost me about $10. What a difference they make on the electric stabilizers I have.

Currently I'm working on a backup camera mod, that will work over a WIFI transmitter to an old smartphone we don't use anymore. I hope to get that mod done this weekend. Total cost should be around $60.

I'm looking forward to keeping up to date on this thread.

[Atlee]

Same for me. I looked at how they were installed before the rebuild. I then made sure they were mounted the same way and then just screwed them in. I found there wasn't much room for adjusting where the struts were to go.

I thought I read they were 100# struts, but don't know for sure. As you did, I just used the same ones that were on it. At first, I though they were going to be too strong. Before we put the mattress on, it was hard as heck to lift the bed platform. Once the 10" memory foam mattress was added, we were glad the struts were as strong as they were.

Originally Posted by BigJohnD

I think I just eyeballed where to mount the strut and got lucky. Not sure if they’re 100# ones, just whatever Jayco put on there. Maybe I got lucky as the bed comes up easy and relatively quick.

[Moseh]

Originally Posted by BigJohnD

Update. Got the bed frame completed yesterday. No doubt this one won't collapse on us. I divided the pass through from the under bed / interior storage area, which was our preference. I would've insulated, but I'm on a time and budget crunch at the time.

I enjoy reading about your mods. I would like to do this mod, as you have, without interfering with valuable storage space. I would like to mount a board for front support, but I'm nervous about drilling into the exterior wall. How did you determine where to put screws, and what size screws did you use?

[jlechmanik]

Originally Posted by Moseh

I enjoy reading about your mods. I would like to do this mod, as you have, without interfering with valuable storage space. I would like to mount a board for front support, but I'm nervous about drilling into the exterior wall. How did you determine where to put screws, and what size screws did you use?

I just used the front board after lowering it the thickness of the plywood. Drilled the dame places the prior supports were, but doubled the screws for additional support.

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[Moseh]

Originally Posted by jlechmanik

I just used the front board after lowering it the thickness of the plywood. Drilled the dame places the prior supports were, but doubled the screws for additional support.

Lol...well what an obvious solution. Call me

[BigJohnD]

I didn’t reuse the front board, but, did pay close attention to its thickness and the screw length when putting the new stuff in.

[RAurand]

John or anyone with a 28BHBE with an exposed frame, (no thermal package)

I have a 2016 28BHBE with the Thermal and elite package.
When you were working on your 28BHBE, did you notice where the Slide Out motor is located?
Because of the insulation under the frame, I can't see up to the frame to find the motor and I do not want to start cutting that away.
Photo might be helpful also. I contacted Lipert and they were not really helpful.

Thank myou and have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING

[jlechmanik]

Originally Posted by RAurand

John or anyone with a 28BHBE with an exposed frame, (no thermal package)

I have a 2016 28BHBE with the Thermal and elite package.
When you were working on your 28BHBE, did you notice where the Slide Out motor is located?
Because of the insulation under the frame, I can't see up to the frame to find the motor and I do not want to start cutting that away.
Photo might be helpful also. I contacted Lipert and they were not really helpful.

Thank myou and have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING

I noticed by the front steps there was a rubber cover over the bottom. Low and behold the motor was there.

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[ibra0078]

Wow BigJohn amazing mods, definitely going to try the shoe rack. At what point does the warranty gets voided? I want to install a backup/observation camera myself and just curious if that could potentially vold the warranty? We decided to get the extended warranty, got it for a good price so don't want to void it if I don't have to. I have a jayco 28bhbe and it says it's equipment for a backup camera in the bedroom but where is the wire to tap Into?

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[RAurand]

Originally Posted by jlechmanik

I noticed by the front steps there was a rubber cover over the bottom. Low and behold the motor was there.

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Thank you, I will take a look.

[norty1]

I have a fifth wheel and Jayco put a proper oversized patch in 2 places under my rig that are easily removable. Both expose the slide motor when easily removed.

[BigJohnD]

Slide motor on 28BHBE is just forward of the fresh water tanks, forward slide rail. Mine has a small piece of chloroplast that can be removed for access.

ibra0078, thank you for the compliments. The only way a warranty can really be voided is if a problem is a result of what you did. Any GOOD dealer will honor warranty work regardless of modifications, provided like I said, your mod didn’t cause it. No issues adding a camera. Now, if you screw the bracket to the rear wall, don’t seal it properly and the wall delaminates, they probably wouldn’t warranty the delam. Unfortunately I can’t help on where wires are as it wasn’t an option when we bought ours.

[BigJohnD]

Finally, something to post. Father in law had a Andersen rapid hitch laying around. Ask him about a month ago, what do you want for that insert. Medicine cabinet he says. No problem. So, this cabinet replaced his double sided tape stuck on mirror in his new SLX.

[BigJohnD]

Hopefully upright now.