2005 Jay Flight 25RKS mod thread

[4silverado]

I decided to do a mod thread on the work that we've done to this camper since we just got it on 11/24/17 and I wanted to share what all has been done to it.


Being used, we ditched the old bedding and window coverings right off. We also removed the dinette, blinds and most of the window valances. Once all was gone, we sat off 3 bug bombs (camper came from western NC and they must have a lot of stink bugs over there).

We installed a queen household mattress. New mattress is heavier and the shocks do not hold up the bed (it’ll need a prop rod). We also installed room darkening blinds from Lowe’s on every window, except for the front. For the front, we picked up a roll of privacy film (Lowe’s). I’m waiting for warmer weather to do it.

 

[4silverado]

After doing all of the blinds, noticed that a fair amount of light came through the bedroom door. I picked up a cheap windshield sunscreen. I removed the lower ½ of the door window screws and loosened the upper ones (didn’t know if the window would fall out if all were removed). After cutting down the sunscreen, I slid it between the window and the frame, and reinstalled the screws. It really helped darken up the bedroom during the day.

On a side note - a friend has a retro Terry and we removed the inner window door frame and I applied a stain glass film to the window, and then reinstalled the trim. It turned out good enough that I’m tempted to do it to the bedroom door. I just don’t know how it'd look with the frosted door glass in our trailer.

My wife got some material from Hobby Lobby and we reupholstered the valance over the doors.

 

[4silverado]

This camper lacked screens on the water heater, furnace or fridge. I’d gotten a set from Camping World with the Good Sam card. Everything fit reasonably well except for the furnace. I ended up making it work with a pair of pliers and a rubber mallet.

It still had a manual tongue jack when we got it. I ended up getting a Harbor Freight electric tongue jack (with discounts for $80). Installation was rather straight forward. I only needed a yellow ring terminal and some shrink sleeve to complete. There is a slight hiccup – the switch for the jack lights is on the back of the head. If you bump the tank cover, it’ll turn on the lights. I’m thinking about either using a rubber grommet siliconed over the switch or moving the tank bracket back some. I’ll need to see if there is any give in the LP lines underneath.

 

[4silverado]

The used lot where I got the camper had replaced the original fridge with a small residential fridge, thing was that it wasn’t installed properly and was tilted forward at the top. After we removed it, I found out why. The bottom rollers at the front had been removed; the rear ones were still there. A hammer and chisel were all that were needed to remove the rollers and flatten the brackets against the bottom of the fridge so it’d sit level. We also removed the fiberglass insulation from the wall against the slide (the wall bowed when we test fit the fridge back in). With it now sitting straight, we needed a way to secure it. I fashioned simple brackets out of a curtain rod hanger and a string cleat. Next issue was when the freezer door was opened, the door would open about 40° and hit a light. I couldn’t remove the light since it happened to be on the wall switch by the door. I ended up moving the light over as far as the wiring hole would allow (and still cover the hole with the light) which got us enough room to at least open the door to 75°. Next option might be a flush mount light, but this will do for now.

 

[4silverado]

I wanted to convert everything inside to LED. I picked up 21 LED bulbs for $20 off of Amazon (these are about the size of a silver dollar and have 24 flat LED's and are a direct replacement for the 921 incandescent bulbs used throughout the camper). However, these are daylight (white) bulbs. They were a bit overpowering in the reading lights above the bed. So, we got a set of reading lights ($32 Amazon). These have 3 flat LED's and are more yellow in output. I also replaced the old dinette light. It was in my way and had to go; I’m 6’7” and kept bumping into it. I found a 9 inch LED light as a replacement (less than $20 on Amazon). When it came in, it didn’t have a switch. I ended up pulling the switch out of the dinette light and installed it in this light. This light sits about 1 ½ off the ceiling.

 

[4silverado]

We removed the dinette and replaced it with a straight back chair and a swivel recliner from Rooms to Go. This trailer has the surround sound speakers but no receiver. I'm thinking that I can wire in a home receiver.

I saved all the wood from the table, dinette and bedroom TV stand. You never know, it might come in handy later.

we got 2 full motion TV mounts that hold up to a 40” TV off of Amazon for $15 each. I made a vertical mount out of a 2X4 and cut a 2X4 size hole in the bottom of the cabinet and slipped the 2X4 into the hole; then secured it with 1 ¼ deck screws. It seems really solid.

 

[4silverado]

My wife did not like the J-Sofa and wanted it either recovered or replaced. The sofa was in the slide and was about 72 inches wide. Reupholstering was out of the question after the estimates ranged between $700 and $2000. Since this slide is made where the bottom of it sits above the fender, a standard couch / sofa / loveseat / chair wouldn't work. We needed to find something with a flat bottom and removable legs, like a futon. We picked up a brown microfiber futon at Walmart for around $130. It came in 2 pieces with the frame attached to the cushions; legs were never installed. I did have to add a couple of ½ plywood strips to level out the slide so the futon would sit level.

I made a pair of “end tables” that are attached so that they move with the slide. I used a 1X12 shelf board and a pair of marine cup holders (that came from Academy Sports). After installation, I noticed a sharp corner that protruded into the hallway when the slide is closed. I’ve got a second design in the works that will eliminate the sharp corner and raise it up a bit more. Just need to get it completed.

 

[4silverado]

Future plans -

I plan on converting every exterior light to LED. I plan on adding a few more lights and an extra set of turn signals to the sides (what can I say; I’m as ex-truck driver / truck mechanic. I believe in making things visible).

The swoosh decals on the side are bubbling and cracking. I started removing the one on the slide with a $12 eraser wheel off of Amazon. It's doing a decent job but it is very time consuming and zaps the battery on my drill. I’ve got a couple of days into removing just one decal. My wife has a Cricut and I’m going to try reproducing the swoosh decals on it or I might try something else.

New tires are needed; date code looks like they are all 2004.
LP leak detector is dated 2/2005 and the CO detector was dated 2011. I have replaced the CO detector, now need the LP detector.

I'd like to replace the tank cover with one that has a hinged lid and replace the rusty safety chains. I've also noticed that the breakaway cable could stand to be replaced.

 

[Rustic Eagle]

Nice mods...., and smart move on updating some of the outdated items (tires, detectors, etc.).

Bob

 

[4silverado]

I got the latest set of end tables completed. These are made out of 3/4 inch MDF and a few pieces of 1X1. These also move with the slide.