Newbie Question

We just purchased a 7 year old coach last September.

-Checked that all things worked prior to purchase.
-Applied new caulking to entire roof.
-Treated all rubber with 303, including seals, gaskets, hoses I could reach.
-Did basic maintenance items (engine oil, generator oil, oil filters, air filters, fuel filters)
-Replaced all bulbs with LED
-Removed all valences. Built new valences and window treatments. This was fun and started to put our own personality to the interior.
-Recovered dinette cushions.
-Installed new mattress.

Still to do:
-Reseal all exterior seams on side walls and slides.
-Install basic solar (already own)
-Install TPMS and valve extensions
-Get RV GPS
-Get tow bar for flat towing
-Get wall decor.

I suppose the list will go on and on. :)

From his profile

2018 Coachmen Pursuit 32 WC
2004 Honda CRV toad
1 Boston Terrier named Lola

Mods over the last several years (not including any maintenance activities):

- Fabricated a shelf behind the couch so the cats could look out the window. (Not a significant mod, but I mention it because it was the first and my wife requested it).
- Upgraded dash stereo and interior speakers and installed a stereo/speakers in basement.
- Added power cord reel with remote and a manual hose reel.
- Replaced dark tinted skylight over shower with a translucent one to bring in more light.
- Replaced the solar panel on roof with a larger unit.
- Replaced all the halogen ceiling lamps with LED's.
- Upgraded main cabin and bedroom TV's to digital with a soundbar.
- Installed flat screen TV in basement.
- Removed mirror behind cooktop and tiled backsplash.
- Installed awnings over all the exterior windows.
- Removed Norcold and replaced with residential fridge.
- Replaced outside docking lights with LED assemblies.
- Updated satellite dish on roof.

I'm sure there are a few others, but all minor in nature.

Lou
05 Travel Supreme Envoy

Again not a modification, but absolute first thing is to either verify that ALL Preventive Maintenance items have been done in the last year OR DO THEM NOW.

Not knowing what kind of MH you have it's hard to offer anything that might help you. Very first thing I did was load up for travel - water, fuel, food , people, and had it weighed. Then adjusted tire PSI accordingly based on the tire manufacturers chart. Second was to add a good TPMS. Third was CHF - but that is only applicable on gassers. After that it handled rather nicely for a gasser. I ended up doing other things, more soundproofing under the doghouse, chasing down rattles, adding a macerator, some decent audio equipment - things like that. One expensive thing but well worth it was ditch the dolly and set up for flat towing. A lot of "improvements" are specific to the coach and what you like. But there are general things you can do to improve ride, comfort and safety.

I very quickly realized the owners manual supplied by the manufacturer is generic at best and leaves a lot to be desired. There are dozens if not hundreds of parts on your coach that are not included in the basic book. I began collecting information on all aspects of my motorhome and continue to this day to add information. The internet is very useful for this task. I file every new addition into a binder and keep it in the coach. This has helped me numerous times over the years when something didn't work. I keep manufacturer contact information as well as document when something breaks and needs replaced. I frequently look at why the particular part failed and think about ways it could be improved to work better or last longer. This is an on-going project and yields a degree of comfort as you progressively make your RV better.

There is no real priority list that applies to every RV but rather a need makes itself known and you take care of it in such a way that it doesn't keep happening.

I always keep a notebook in the coach and make a list of items to take care of, either right away, or when I return home from a trip. On our current trip that began in October, I have over 50 items in the list. Some are already taken care of and some I will do when we eventually return home.

RVs are notoriously unreliable due to financial considerations when they are built. This is my way of making my coach more reliable and thus more enjoyable to use.

Good luck with yours.

It's not a mod but, check your roof. Make sure the caulking in in good condition and properly applied. Use Eternabond where possible.
Do this even if it's new.

Only modification I made to ours was installing a heavier clothes hanger rod in the rear closet. My wife found out you can't hang 1000lbs. of close on a 20lb. rated bar. lolol Oh and I moved our dining room table over against the bathroom wall to give a little more area in that area for a stress less recliner. That's it. As far as the chassis it's bone stock.

Well Sir,
Mods, adjustments, alterations, enhancements and all that, are all preferences of each owner and, as such, are prioritized as needed. What one of us might do first, based on our priorities, might be on the bottom of the list (if at all) for others. As for myself, if and when I purchase a "new to me" coach, the first thing I do is check all the important systems, i.e. lights, as in brake lights, turn signals and any and all running lights. Then, the brakes. A thorough inspection of all brakes and related components.

Then, the engine. Belts, hoses and anything that I can see, feel, hear or otherwise, needs attention. After all the necessities are taken care of, then comes time for the mods. One of the first "mod" I did was, change almost all of the interior lighting to LED bulbs. Yep, it was a bit expensive but, the interior of our coach is without a doubt, considerably cooler due to that change. And, not only that but, we consume a whole lot less battery.

Our bed was built a bit on the weak side so, I made a support for it underneath the part that tips up. Now, it's as stable as a rock. In the past 7+ years of ownership, there's been plenty more enhancements, alterations and more.
Scott

How to make your signature so we can serve you better:

1. Log on and click "My Preferences".
2. On the "My Preferences" page click the middle box and enter your rig info.
3. Scroll to the bottom and click "Submit Changes"
4. Exit and you're done.

I added a towbar assembly and a toad as my first major modification.