Jay Flight 174BH little review and simple mods

[rigger4343]

Randomly came across this site while doing some research.

i just bought a 2020 slx 174 bhw. waiting to take delivery but really excited after reading through this forum. A lot of good knowledge here and a place to get advice. We're new to trailer camping so i'm sure i will have tons of questions.

and right of the bat, the mod for the sewer hose is #1 on my list!

Enjoy your TT. It is a nice little camper that has lots of potential. I was outside today working on a fan project for the kids bunks. I can't seem to leave ours alone!

 

[rigger4343]

Fans in the bunks....

Well the kids had complained one or two times about it getting a little stuffy in the bunks. To me, it is just fine if the curtains are open and the AC is on and blowing. Even though I did not really think it was needed, I saw the opportunity for yet another little project.

Spent a lot of time looking for fans. Looked at a lot of different types of fans but kept coming back to ones I saw as a kid that were always mounted on a big trucks dash. The only place I could find them in black was Camping World. So I ordered up a pair to install.

My plan was to just steel some power from the radio and fish wire down the wall. Well because of the wall framing, that did not work. I was also planning on just mounting the fans and using the two speed switch they came with. Well that did not work either because the fans were just really strong!

So I had to come up with a way to slow down the fans, run the wire and mount the fans.....

First slowing down the fans. Found some DC PWM Speed controllers on Amazon. A pair of them for less than $10. Did a little testing with them and found they would work out just fine. The fans have three wires. One ground and two hots. One hot is a slow speed and the other is full blast! I decided to wire the controllers to the slower speed.

Next was finding something to mount the new switch in and use as a fan mount since I could no longer just screw the fan to ceiling. I used some small wire mold boxes. They just fit the new speed control switch and would hold the fans. Used a phone jack cover and through bolted the fan to the cover.

Running the wire was the last thing. (Or actually the first thing I did.) Since I could not run down the wall from the stereo like I wanted, I decided to run wire from the panel under the dinette, then under the bottom bunk and up the back wall with some small wire mold. Probably could have fished wire up that back wall but I decided to take the easy way out and just run the wire mold.

Used a fuse holder and pulled power right where the battery power comes up through the floor and grounded it right off the ground block that was there. Easy, fused power source for the fans.

The fans are very controllable as far as speed goes. They circulate the air in the bunk area just enough. They are a little louder than I expected but with as loud as the AC is, I don't think it is a big deal at all.

I originally thought this would be a simple and quick project but it actually took a lot more effort than I was planning on. Overall, I don't think it turned out too bad. Guess I will see what the kids think on our next trip.

 

[xizowudao]

Took our first trip in the 174bh this past week! What a great camper!

Question for everyone who has the same trailer... how long are you able to make the tanks last for you? Our baja edition has 30 gallon fresh, 20 gallon black and 20 gallon gray. It was only my wife and I, and we only managed to make everything last about 5 and a half days before we ran out. I feel like this is a pretty low amount of time even though I thought we were conserving well haha! If anyone has any water conservation tips throw them this way! cheers everyone

 

[rigger4343]

Took our first trip in the 174bh this past week! What a great camper!

Question for everyone who has the same trailer... how long are you able to make the tanks last for you? Our baja edition has 30 gallon fresh, 20 gallon black and 20 gallon gray. It was only my wife and I, and we only managed to make everything last about 5 and a half days before we ran out. I feel like this is a pretty low amount of time even though I thought we were conserving well haha! If anyone has any water conservation tips throw them this way! cheers everyone

I would love to camp where you are! That spot looks awsome.

Mine does not have as large a tanks as your Baja. With four of us on a normal Friday through Sunday camping weekend, I have seen our black tank get from 1/3 to right at full. On average 1/2 tank or a little more. Thats me, the wife and two teen daughters. Just my wife and I, I bet it could go a week.

I can't say on the freshwater because we always have water hookups.

I would really enjoy camping in a place like you are in those pics. I bet a few practice runs and you will figure out the best ways to conserve what you have.

 

[distracto]

I recently purchased the oxygenics shower head, lots of reviews on here. This cuts the water use down by adding air to the water at the head. It also has a shut off at the shower head so you can turn the water off when soaping up and back on again to rinse without having to reach down in the little shower to turn off the water. This saves your fresh water supply if you are boondocking.

For our grey, depending where we are, I drain as I go. It can be a controversial and hot topic, but use common sense with what you put in your grey. We are a very environmentally conscious family when camping. Everything that goes down the grey is water soluble and non toxic. We don't let food go down the sink drain (we try our best) either.

That being said, I replaced my waste/grey valve cap with this little beauty https://www.amazon.ca/Valterra-Prod...0775653&sprefix=valterra,aps,199&sr=8-48&th=1 Now I can attach a good quality wide diameter garden hose and drain the "clean" grey back into the environment. Be smart with this concept as not everyone agrees or trusts that you're not just dumping food particles and harmful soaps into the forest attracting animals and polluting the ground water.

Just be sure to save some grey to chase the black water when doing your final dump (pun intended)

Now I have to ask - where is that camp spot? I'd love to hit it up!

 

[xizowudao]

I recently purchased the oxygenics shower head, lots of reviews on here. This cuts the water use down by adding air to the water at the head. It also has a shut off at the shower head so you can turn the water off when soaping up and back on again to rinse without having to reach down in the little shower to turn off the water. This saves your fresh water supply if you are boondocking.

For our grey, depending where we are, I drain as I go. It can be a controversial and hot topic, but use common sense with what you put in your grey. We are a very environmentally conscious family when camping. Everything that goes down the grey is water soluble and non toxic. We don't let food go down the sink drain (we try our best) either.

That being said, I replaced my waste/grey valve cap with this little beauty https://www.amazon.ca/Valterra-Prod...0775653&sprefix=valterra,aps,199&sr=8-48&th=1 Now I can attach a good quality wide diameter garden hose and drain the "clean" grey back into the environment. Be smart with this concept as not everyone agrees or trusts that you're not just dumping food particles and harmful soaps into the forest attracting animals and polluting the ground water.

Just be sure to save some grey to chase the black water when doing your final dump (pun intended)

Now I have to ask - where is that camp spot? I'd love to hit it up!

Thanks for the tips! The camping spot is east of Manning Park. As you leave the park boundary you'll pass an Esso gas station, and then a couple kilometers after there will be a forest service road on your right. Drive into there and the camp site is just off the road! really easy to get to, however low clearance vehicles and campers might have trouble getting right by the water like we did.

 

[fisher-JAY]

Great thread, brand new owner on 174BHBJ.

Reached out to jayco service to ask for some drawings and this is what I received.

"Good morning,

I understand your request, however because your unit is under warranty I am not permitted to send you any diagrams on the plumbing or electrical of your unit. I apologize for the inconvenience and look forward to assisting you in the future. Have a wonderful day.

(removed name)
Customer Service Specialist"

From what I could gather on this thread, I wasn't expecting that response. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Mr. McNasty]

Great thread, brand new owner on 174BHBJ.

Reached out to jayco service to ask for some drawings and this is what I received.

"Good morning,

I understand your request, however because your unit is under warranty I am not permitted to send you any diagrams on the plumbing or electrical of your unit. I apologize for the inconvenience and look forward to assisting you in the future. Have a wonderful day.

(removed name)
Customer Service Specialist"

From what I could gather on this thread, I wasn't expecting that response. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

Keep trying. I was told no twice and then finally found the customer service rep who was in a good mood or who didn't care and he emailed them to me.

 

[xizowudao]

They said the same with me over email regarding electrical and plumbing plans, but they did send me the structural drawings so I can find locations of studs, etc.


Which Oxygenics shower head are most people buying? I see there's one called Bodyspa and another called Fury.

 

[colby-JAY]

Great thread, brand new owner on 174BHBJ.

Reached out to jayco service to ask for some drawings and this is what I received.

"Good morning,

I understand your request, however because your unit is under warranty I am not permitted to send you any diagrams on the plumbing or electrical of your unit. I apologize for the inconvenience and look forward to assisting you in the future. Have a wonderful day.

(removed name)
Customer Service Specialist"

From what I could gather on this thread, I wasn't expecting that response. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

My trailer was less than a year old when they sent me the plans, I only had to ask the once.

That sounds like someone is avoiding work unless they have changed their stance.

 

[rigger4343]

I did the same thing and sent an email asking for the structural drawings. They sent me that and a I think plumbing and electrical as well the next day.

 

[Bob K2]

I have seen some of those kits were you can add a fan or two. That is basically what I did. I ran across a good 12v computer fan the other day and it just happen to be the same size as the one that was in there already. So I snatched it up and made a new mount with both fans side by side. I wired them up together with a new 50c temp switch and removed a few of the unnecessary factory connectors to simply the wires.

My 2015 185RB has no fan. I want to add one. Can you explain more about how your setup works? Do you have a control board someplace to control fan speed? On-off switch? Is the 50c thermostat tied to the fridge in a way that it only comes on while the fridge is turned on and the vent cubby is above 50c? Does the extra wind volume/velocity mess with the propane burn?

 

[Bob K2]

That being said, I replaced my waste/grey valve cap with this little beauty https://www.amazon.ca/Valterra-Prod...0775653&sprefix=valterra,aps,199&sr=8-48&th=1 Now I can attach a good quality wide diameter garden hose and drain the "clean" grey back into the environment. Be smart with this concept as not everyone agrees or trusts that you're not just dumping food particles and harmful soaps into the forest attracting animals and polluting the ground water.

Is this cap mostly just cosmetic and emotion-assuaging for those who might object to discharging grey water? In other words, does it look "nicer" to have a small garden hose hooked up to your waste drain rather than just taking off the cap and discharging from the waste drain like normal?

 

[distracto]

Is this cap mostly just cosmetic and emotion-assuaging for those who might object to discharging grey water? In other words, does it look "nicer" to have a small garden hose hooked up to your waste drain rather than just taking off the cap and discharging from the waste drain like normal?

I think yes is the correct answer... I don't want to have my sewer hose hooked up the whole time to the valve when in an unserviced site. Rather unsightly and people might think I was dumping black water into the woods!

I also like that it drains slower, so when I open it up I don't make a huge puddle or wash away any ground surface. I typically keep the valve closed until the tank gets close to full and then let it slowly drain.

 

[distracto]

Thanks for the tips! The camping spot is east of Manning Park. As you leave the park boundary you'll pass an Esso gas station, and then a couple kilometers after there will be a forest service road on your right. Drive into there and the camp site is just off the road! really easy to get to, however low clearance vehicles and campers might have trouble getting right by the water like we did.

I'm going to check it out for sure!

Any idea on clearance? Did you barely make it or was there room to spare?

Was it low hanging branches that would be in the way?

Feel free to pm me if you would like

 

[rigger4343]

My 2015 185RB has no fan. I want to add one. Can you explain more about how your setup works? Do you have a control board someplace to control fan speed? On-off switch? Is the 50c thermostat tied to the fridge in a way that it only comes on while the fridge is turned on and the vent cubby is above 50c? Does the extra wind volume/velocity mess with the propane burn?

Hey Bob,
I know they make some fan kits, I have seen them online but computer fans work and are easy to get. If you do not have a fan now, I would probably get two and put them together like I did on mine.

I originally had one fan from the factory. My temp switch that turned on the fan was just kind of hanging out in the air. When I added the second fan, I broke the original temp switch. I never could cross reference the OEM switch so I ordered one that cut on at 120 F. I have put my laser temp gun on it and it cut on at 120F and would cut off at about 110F.

After I did this mod, I never really got to try it in warm weather again until recently. Now that it has warmed up, I have been experimenting with it again. I found that having the switch hanging out in the air on a mount was not working. I did some research and then relocated it to the left side of the upper heat exchanger on the tube. (Not on the fins like I have seen some.) We went on a warm weekend trip not long ago and I found the fridge was cooling well, but it was not that hot outside, but the fan was cutting on and off all the time.

So I did some more looking online and using my temp gun to find a better spot. I relocated it down low on the first tube at the lower big coil thing. (Sorry I do not know the correct names.) I have had the fridge on for a week or so now and it seems to be holding around 38F with no food in it. I have not heard the fan cutting on and off all the time so I am thinking this may be a good spot for the temp switch. We have a weekend trip next weekend so it will be a good time to test. I am planning on testing this thing out good this summer and finding out what works the best.

In cooler weather, it looks like I will have to adjust to thermostat in the fridge to keep it from getting too cold.

I do not see why you could not get a couple of computer fans, a thermo switch and wire it up to a 12v source. If you do not have a 12v source that cuts on and off with the fridge, just run 12v to that location. Put a switch in there and wire it up. You can use the switch to cut on power to the thermo switch so the fans can cut on when needed.

The picture I attached here is not a good picture. But the switch is located at the bottom of the fridge on the left hand side. I have it attached to the first tube on the coils running up because that is the hottest spot that does not seem to constantly fluctuate the temp. If this works, I will do an update to my fridge mod post.

 

[xizowudao]

Do you guys drive with full grey/black tanks on occasion? Since we mainly dry camp it’s sometimes a far drive to get to a dump station... I’m wondering if it’s safe to drive with those tanks full or should I reinforce them somehow?

 

[rigger4343]

Do you guys drive with full grey/black tanks on occasion? Since we mainly dry camp it’s sometimes a far drive to get to a dump station... I’m wondering if it’s safe to drive with those tanks full or should I reinforce them somehow?

I always dump my tanks before hauling but it's probably not a bad idea reinforce them. That's a lot weight hanging under the trailer if you have to pull with them full.

Sounds like another project to me!

 

[Bob K2]

Hey Bob,
...but it was not that hot outside, but the fan was cutting on and off all the time.

I have a variety of 12v computer fans sitting around. I'm toying with the idea of finding a couple with the load and flow that I want, and just having them come on and stay on with a switch. Something that doesn't draw too much and isn't too noisy.

 

[fisher-JAY]

1st inspired mod

wanted to share my 1st inspired outdoor shower mod.

Since I'll wait to cut into the RV for now (request to Jayco 4 replies deep), I still wanted to add an outdoor shower kit. Not sure if anything is wrong with this setup, but here goes. Comments/critique appreciated.

Thoughts:
- Take advantage of low point drains (so no drilling or cutting the RV).
- Take advantage of it being outside (leaks acceptable), so use cheap tubing with disconnects.
- Use outdoor storage setup on trailer bumper

So setup is a matter of two quick disconnects per line... At least that's the plan.