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03-27-2019, 07:42 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Charleston
Posts: 202
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Jay Flight 174BH little review and simple mods
Last summer we decided to purchase a new 2019 Jayco Jay Flight 174 BH. I don't normally like to buy something like that new but for various reasons, my wife and I decided to go brand new.
The 174 BH fit what we needed as far as size and floor plan. I almost went with the one that had a slide out but in the end we decided to keep it simple and not do the slide. It kept the cost and weight down plus it is one less thing for me to fix in the future. We did not want a large camper and this one seemed to have everything we wanted in a small package.
I wanted a simple camper without lots of bells and whistles. Then I could add what we felt we wanted as time goes on.
We have had it on about 5 short weekend trips so far. One of those was just me and the dog heading from Charleston, SC up into the mountains for a long weekend.
As far as towing goes, I have no complaints. I did install a friction anti sway bar and that is all it has needed. I can run 70mph and it pulls just fine. No issues with rigs passing or bad weather. She seems to be a good pulling and well balanced trailer. I pull it with my 2014 Toyota Tacoma.
We have two girls, 12 and 13. The bunks work well for them and the queen mattress up front is fine for my wife and I. I would not mind it being a tad softer but I think a simple foam topper would be all that I would like. Our pup sleeps in a little crate under the table.
Almost all of our trips so far have been while it was cold at night. Getting down into the low 40's and touching the upper 30's. I actually have not used the furnace. Just a smaller electric space heater and it has been all that we have needed. One reason for doing that was just to conserve propane. We got one with the roof top AC and from what I can see so far, it will be more than enough to keep the camper ice cold in the summer.
The camper seems to have plenty of lighting for our needs. We also have more than enough storage. The fridge has proven to hold enough for a few days of cooking for the 4 of us. A couple of times it has gotten a little too cold and it froze some eggs but I can deal with that.
So far build quality is what I expect for the price range and brand. I have had no issues with it so far and will just repair and modify as needed in the future.
So far we are happy with it and it has worked well. It is big enough for the 4 of us to be comfy and small enough for just myself to use. Overall I would recommend it to someone looking for a similar floor plan.
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03-27-2019, 07:49 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Charleston
Posts: 202
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Now for some of my simple little mods....
It comes with one propane tank. I wanted a second tank for backup so I ordered a duel tank rack for small bottles and mounted that up front.
Now that I have used the camper a number of times, I probably would have been fine with just one but the way I see it, it never hurts to have an extra tank.
I have also changed out the gas line feeding the regulator because a critter decided to eat through the original one. I went with a SS covered hose. So far, so good with that one!
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03-27-2019, 07:55 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Charleston
Posts: 202
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95% of our cooking is done outside.
There is a double T under the steps for gas so I added a quick disconnect to right there. It was a convenient location for cooking. We ordered a 17" Blackstone griddle and hose for it. It has proven to be great for campsite cooking and running it off of the camper gas supply means I do not have to worry about running out of gas.
So far it has been great!
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03-27-2019, 08:01 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Charleston
Posts: 202
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We normally arrive at camp sites just after dark and although this camper has a back up light, I decided to add a little more light.
I ordered a set of LED lights off of Amazon for only $13. I mounted them up front and tied them into my back up lights. They draw almost nothing and worked out really well. Now I can see down the sides of the camper and out to the sides when backing it up. This little mod has gotten a lot of compliments so far.
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03-27-2019, 08:05 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Charleston
Posts: 202
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Hose storage.
I really did not want to store the black hose in the bumper or in the camper. I found this nice little Plano Box at Tractor Supply that was the perfect size. Mounted it on the back bumper so it is right next the drains. It holds everything I wanted it to and worked out great! Only black hose related stuff goes in the box.
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03-27-2019, 08:06 PM
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#6
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Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Manchester
Posts: 32
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Nice job with the auxiliary lights… How did you mount them?
__________________
2011 Jayco Jayflight 26 RLS
2019 Jayco Jayflight 28 BHS
2007 Tundra 5.7 4x4 TRD SR5 D/C
2019 Tundra 5.7 4x4 SR5 D/C
From the great Granite State
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03-27-2019, 08:09 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: FL
Posts: 11,281
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Congratulations! Seems you made an excellent choice for your needs.
Two propane tanks are a good idea. Have you considered buying a good quality automatic change over valve for those tanks?
If you camp in the cold without hookups, be aware that a single 12v battery won't be enough to keep the furnace going more than about 1 night/morning.
__________________
Sherm & Terry w/rescue Eydie (min Schnauzer) & Charley (std Poodle)
SOLD:2015 Jay Flight 27RLS, GY Endurance (E), Days: 102 '15, 90 '16, 80 '17, 161 '18, 365+ '20
SOLD: 2006 Ford F350 PSD, 4WD, CC, LB, SRW, Camper pkg., 375,000mi
Full timing: Some will think you're crazy, some will be envious, just enjoy the freedom!
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03-27-2019, 08:10 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Charleston
Posts: 202
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Wanted a little light under the steps. I ran some power from the battery and installed a push button switch just under the steps in an easy to reach spot. First I tried a blue LED light I had but it was too bright.
I ended up making a little mount and used a couple of yellow LED side marker lights I had. That worked out perfectly. Just enough simple light at the steps to leave on all night long. It worked out really well.
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03-27-2019, 08:13 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Charleston
Posts: 202
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Another thing I discovered from arriving in the dark was that the large front storage compartment needed some lighting!
Just added a little rocker switch and couple of white LED lights up high. It was just the right amount of light for that area.
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03-27-2019, 08:18 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Charleston
Posts: 202
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Kids were complaining a little about getting in and out of the top bunk. I looked into different options and ended trying a very simple thing first.
Added a second grab handle in a more appropriate location for getting up and back down. My daughter tested it and thought it was a big improvement. It even helped me out too!
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03-27-2019, 08:23 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Charleston
Posts: 202
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I really wanted an outdoor shower so I ordered up a kit from Etrailer. Cut it in near the rear of the camper in a spot that I think will be in a good location for us. It was also one of the only locations that worked out as far as the camper's framing layout went. I do believe this will be well used! One thing i did not like about it was that it came with a keyed lock and only one key. I swapped out the key lock for a simple thumb twist lock like what is on the other storage door. I could see myself loosing that one key on next trip.
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03-27-2019, 08:28 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Charleston
Posts: 202
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In the bathroom...
I did swap out the shower head for one that could be cut off by pushing a button. The original one did not have that and I thought it was annoying not having one that you could just cut off and restart quickly.
Also added a couple of towel hooks. One in the shower and one outside the shower.
Those are two simple little things but are nice to have.
There is also no exhaust fan in the overhead vent in the bathroom. I think that might be the next little mod.
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03-27-2019, 08:31 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Charleston
Posts: 202
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bigmoo315
Nice job with the auxiliary lights… How did you mount them?
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Just used a little flat bar I had. Just bolted a short piece on long enough to put the light in the right spot.
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03-27-2019, 08:33 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Charleston
Posts: 202
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oldmanAZ
Congratulations! Seems you made an excellent choice for your needs.
Two propane tanks are a good idea. Have you considered buying a good quality automatic change over valve for those tanks?
If you camp in the cold without hookups, be aware that a single 12v battery won't be enough to keep the furnace going more than about 1 night/morning.
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Good idea. I thought about doing a little more up there but so far just having the second bottle has been enough to make me happy. That might be something I add in the future.
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03-27-2019, 08:34 PM
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#15
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Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Manchester
Posts: 32
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rigger4343
Just used a little flat bar I had. Just bolted a short piece on long enough to put the light in the right spot.
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Attached to the aluminum siding or underneath to the frame?
__________________
2011 Jayco Jayflight 26 RLS
2019 Jayco Jayflight 28 BHS
2007 Tundra 5.7 4x4 TRD SR5 D/C
2019 Tundra 5.7 4x4 SR5 D/C
From the great Granite State
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03-27-2019, 08:36 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Charleston
Posts: 202
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bigmoo315
Attached to the aluminum siding or underneath to the frame?
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To the frame. Was pretty simple. If I don't forget, I will take a picture tomorrow for you.
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03-27-2019, 08:38 PM
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#17
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Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Manchester
Posts: 32
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rigger4343
To the frame. Was pretty simple. If I don't forget, I will take a picture tomorrow for you.
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Thanks, our new camper just arrived at the dealership so it should be home in another week or two and I can start with the mods.
__________________
2011 Jayco Jayflight 26 RLS
2019 Jayco Jayflight 28 BHS
2007 Tundra 5.7 4x4 TRD SR5 D/C
2019 Tundra 5.7 4x4 SR5 D/C
From the great Granite State
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03-27-2019, 09:53 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Utah
Posts: 892
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rigger4343
70mph and it pulls just fine.
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Be careful. Those cheap tires get closer to blow-out with every run above 65 mph.
__________________
2014 Ram 2500 Mega Cab Laramie 4x4 6.4L HEMI 4.10s with antispin
2014 Jayco Jay Flight Swift 287BHBE
Equal-i-zer 90-00-1200(new 90-02-4900 shank)
2x Honda 2K
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03-28-2019, 11:15 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: San Jose
Posts: 287
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bigmoo315
Thanks, our new camper just arrived at the dealership so it should be home in another week or two and I can start with the mods.
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I fitted some lights to my trailer have not used them yet but I mount to the frame using light bar magnets, no need to drill. I also wrapped a zip tie around just in case they fall off, which is unlikely.
Here is a link to the ones I used. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I also tied into the trailer battery and used remote controls to turn on and off as needed. I have side mounted lights near the wheels and rear bumper mounted as well. I have separate remotes for the middle lights and rear lights.
__________________
2022 Eagle 355MBQS
2018 Jay Flight 32BHDS (Sold)
2019 Ford F350 LBCC 6.7 Diesel
2003 Ford F250 6.0 Diesel (Sold)
Reese Steadi-Flex (Sold)
DH, SWMBO, DS, & Dog
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03-28-2019, 05:46 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Charleston
Posts: 202
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bigmoo315
Thanks, our new camper just arrived at the dealership so it should be home in another week or two and I can start with the mods.
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Here you go. Not the best pictures but I think you get the idea. I do need to re-secure my wires, I used sticky backs and they did not hold long. These lights came off of Amazon and were only $13 for the set. They only draw about 1.5 amps together.
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