My 2018 212QB Mod Journey

[colby]

Now that I have my trailer within shouting distance at the storage yard, I will start my plan of modifications to the unit. After a long winter of forum reading, YouTube watching, creating wish lists on Amazon and planning things like only Dr. Evil would plan for world domination, I am starting the process (now if it would only warm up and stop snowing this weekend... and where are those sharks with laser beams...).

First things first. When we got the trailer delivered a couple of weeks ago, sure enough, the battery was dead, dead, dead as the Service Center didn't disconnect it during winterization. So, out it came, got it hooked up to my shiny new Battery Tender (thanks Amazon Prime) and all is well. Water levels are good, testing with the hydrometer was successful and now it waits for a few more weeks...

So onto my list of mods. The first one is related to the battery, and I have a shutoff switch ready to install (it would have been put in this weekend, but the snow and freezing rain nixed that idea). I've got pictures below. I thought about installing it right into the battery box like I saw on a few YouTube videos; however, I thought I would use an outside gangbox with waterproof cover to provide the case for it. I cut a custom gasket from some 1/16" rubber and siliconed the shutoff switch to the face plate. It's nice and sturdy and the plan is to attach it to the battery box to minimize cable lengths. I will see what happens when I get there

Here's my initial cut of mods to do:

• Install a seperator between the passthrough storage and the under-bed storage (my DW wants to keep the outside stuff outside)
• Oxygenics shower head
• Shelves in the left-hand wardrobe (as per the ones shown in this video - https://youtu.be/LxHw7IgKrCA)
• Replace the AC plugs on each side of the bed with ones with USB slots in addition to the power outlets
• Screens over the furnace/water heater exhausts

Reading about the mattress on the forum, I have that in my head too and it may get added very quickly once we try out the initial camping in the driveway.

[havnfun]

Congrats on your new unit. You've picked some good mods to start off with and here are two more. I consider these very essential to preserve your RV and improve safety while driving.
First, I recommend a Progressive EMS to be added, either hard wired or portable. This could save you from big expenses due to low/high voltage, surges, etc. It's not cheap to replace the frig, microwave, television, stereo, etc.
Second a TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system) keeps you aware of tire pressures and temperatures while on the road. It warns you of slow leaks, fast leaks as in a blowout, high temps, etc. Gives you some time to get off the road before damage occurs. I use the TST 507 on my setup.
Good luck, have fun, and...

Happy RVing,
Jeff

[colby]

Originally Posted by havnfun

Congrats on your new unit. You've picked some good mods to start off with and here are two more. I consider these very essential to preserve your RV and improve safety while driving.
First, I recommend a Progressive EMS to be added, either hard wired or portable. This could save you from big expenses due to low/high voltage, surges, etc. It's not cheap to replace the frig, microwave, television, stereo, etc.
Second a TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system) keeps you aware of tire pressures and temperatures while on the road. It warns you of slow leaks, fast leaks as in a blowout, high temps, etc. Gives you some time to get off the road before damage occurs. I use the TST 507 on my setup.
Good luck, have fun, and...

Happy RVing,
Jeff

Jeff,

Thanks for these. I actually do have a TPMS that needs to get installed (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1) and a portable surge protector that we used the "credit" from the dealer on. I am interested in the hard-wired unit and that may happen down the road.

[oldmanAZ]

To your plans to ...
"Install a seperator between the passthrough storage and the under-bed storage (my DW wants to keep the outside stuff outside)"
... I would suggest you include incorporating a bed support as part of that plan. Many of us have found the bed support 'lacking' to put it mildly.

[colby]

Originally Posted by oldmanAZ

To your plans to ...
"Install a seperator between the passthrough storage and the under-bed storage (my DW wants to keep the outside stuff outside)"
... I would suggest you include incorporating a bed support as part of that plan. Many of us have found the bed support 'lacking' to put it mildly.

Very good suggestion. I am not as slender as I once was...

Added to my list.

[colby]

Forgot the pictures of my battery switch.

[colby]

So my attempt to install standard plugs with USB slots is foiled. I cannot find a gang box that will be shallow enough to fit the outlet inside of the wall. I tried ordering from Amazon and all the ones available in Canada are all deep (very deep) and won't fit. I got some metal ones from Home Depot, and while not as deep, the ground screw out the back would be pushing into the outside siding.

I will continue the battle; however, if anyone has some other tips on where I can find Old Work Gang Boxes to fit an RV, that would be very much appreciated.

[LuckyDuck]

If it helps, here are some pix of mods we’ve done to our 212QBW to make it a bit more comfortable. It includes the infamous bed support, too! https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/m...lbums1625.html

[colby]

Thanks so much, I will definitely be taking a closer look at the bed support!

[4_Weasel]

This is the big I used. It is only 1.25 inches deep.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Carlon-1...-UPC/100404058

[colby]

Originally Posted by 4_Weasel

This is the big I used. It is only 1.25 inches deep.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Carlon-1...-UPC/100404058

Thanks, I was looking at that. How did you extend it outside of the wall? The outlet is about 2.5" deep, so it will stick out about an inch and a half. Do you have any pictures?

[colby]

I finally got the shelving system ready for a final fit into the left bed wardrobe. Using 1/4" Maple plywood, it all fits together nicely. My DW is very happy to lose the less than useful bar for clothes to hang.

Now just to stain and install.

The shelves keep the sides upright and I wasn't planning to screw the sides into anything, however, I think I will use the mounting points for the bar I removed to tack the side pieces in place so they don't have so much weight on the bottom edges.

[colby]

And of course they are all sideways...

Anyway to fix that?

[colby]

And here's a picture of the battery disconnect attached to the outside of the battery box.

[LuckyDuck]

Originally Posted by colby

And of course they are all sideways...

Anyway to fix that?

Before posting, do a crop (even minimal) to the photo, re-save and use that for posting. That seems to work.

[colby]

Originally Posted by LuckyDuck

Before posting, do a crop (even minimal) to the photo, re-save and use that for posting. That seems to work.

Very cool, thanks. I will give it a try and see if I can replace these...

And it worked like a charm! Excellent!

[LuckyDuck]

[JFlightRisk]

Then there are the three screens for the fridge vents. Bees and bugs would love to get up in there. Our TT is a 2012 19RD,which has the same basic floor plan, except a sideways corner bed.

[colby]

I decided I needed to build a box to hold the bars for the WDH and the pry tool that came with them. Tired of using the huge old cardboard box the hitch came in.

Took a 1x4 on each end with some 1x3s on the inside as separators. Put some 1/4" plywood on the bottom and the far end and created a lid that the tool sits on. Used some sticky window foam to stop things from sliding around (not sure it is working as well as I planned and may have to think of something else. The tool is sitting on another piece of plywood which I might attach a bungee or Velcro to hold it in place a bit better. The plywood is free floating on top of the box.

Put a couple of 1x2s along the bottom to raise it up to the level of the storage door. And finally attached it to the 1x2s on bed so it doesn't move.

[colby]

Originally Posted by LuckyDuck

If it helps, here are some pix of mods we’ve done to our 212QBW to make it a bit more comfortable. It includes the infamous bed support, too! https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/m...lbums1625.html

I started working on the bed supports and got the easy part mostly done - the frame for the wall in the underside bed storage. I can't find any thin cedar plywood, so I will be sticking with the maple that I can get. The front support is proving to be a bit more interesting. I'm thinking now I should have done that one first, coming in from the front of the bed storage. As it is now, I'm maneuvering my 6'3" body into the pass through like some sort of Cirque du Soleil performer. Almost done putting the hinges and the top board on and I will then connect up the bottom part, install the insulation and plywood onto the separator and then install the bed cross pieces.

Thanks again for posting the pictures and explanation, they have been great inspiration.