About 3 years ago I purchased two Cruise America 2015 Class C Majestic 28a units. I am a moderate DIYer and have made several modifications/upgrades. I enjoy these projects and seem to be a little addicted to doing more (lol). I have fixed many things that broke along the way too, but this post is just covering upgrades and modifications. I thought I would share a list here along with links to several of the projects in case any of you want to make the upgrades....
Added a backup monitor. I'm actually surprised that rental RVs don't come stock with backup cameras as they help drivers so much. Well, Cruise America RVs do not come with them. So, I added one.
Cost was ~$140. It is wireless. The camera is mounted on the rear of the RV and is placed right underneath the center running light near the rear top of the RV and the camera gets it's power from the running light. Here is the one I chose.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078PDH6Z8
Added a 2nd lead acid battery. This doubled the battery bank from 100AH to 200AH which I feel is much more reasonable for the typical weekend warrior RVer. I added the battery in the small external compartment on the driver side closer to the rear. I drilled some 1/2" holes near the top and bottom of this compartment (on the underside of the RV where it isn't visible) to allow for gas venting. Then ran heavy duty battery cables to connect with the original coach battery.
Added a battery monitor. Incredibly helpful for all things battery/power related. Cost: ~$75. Let's me know that my solar, alternator, generator charging is working. Let's me know exactly what the battery capacity is. Let's me test/know the power consumption of any 12v item in the RV. Very useful.
https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/30168196.cfm
New front seat covers. Hard to find ones that fit, but these ones fit like a glove! After a while, the original cloth seats had stains. These covers are a vinyl type that can easily be wiped. They have been holding up great.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B084WVK4DD
Added USB charging ports over the dinette, over the couch, and over the rear bed. I installed these:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07ZQJPJMB
Allows for all passengers to keep their devices charged.
If you put them within ~6-10 inches from your under-cabinet dome lights (if you have those), you can tap off the dome light wiring.
I chose these for easy install because with the correct sized drill bit, it is a 10 minute job!
Added a TV and DVD player. This was put on the driver side of the upper cab bed (there is a 120v outlet there already). I had to run a 1"x4" piece of wood immediately above and below the window and then two vertical pieces. I painted them to match the drape color so they were less noticeable. This allowed me to place a long reaching TV mount/arm on the wall so that the TV could be swiveled open and pointed down so people can watch from the couch or dinette. Here is the long-reaching TV mount I used:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07XJJKRM7
Upgraded Tires. When the time came for new tires, I feel it is a no-brainer to move up to 225/75r16 Commercial rated tires (121/120 load rating). Gives ~2000lbs extra load carrying capacity on the rear. Before doing this, I had 2 blowouts on my RVs over a couple of years. Since upgrading I have had zero blowouts. Better safety. Helps me sleep better at night.
Tire Pressure Monitor System. Cost ~$80 and took 5 minutes to install. This is a GREAT safety feature to have. Over the years I've had a couple of times when the inner dually was flat and I didn't notice (prior to getting this TPMS). If you don't have one, you should add one. Your safety is worth it!
https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/30305164.cfm
RV roof reseal and caulking. The RVs were 6 years old when I did this project. The caulking around the vents and the front cap needed some attention. I was also about to add solar so I wanted a nice, clean canvas to work on. Cost was only ~$250/RV. I feel like I added an extra 5 years of protection to my roof. Haven't had any leaks. Here is that project:
https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/30201452.cfm
500w solar and 2000w PSW inverter. I'm a huge fan of solar on RVs. Keeps the batteries topped off all the time when in storage, and allows for boondocking. I was able to find an inexpensive way to add 500w which is more than enough solar. Probably only needed 300w, but with this inexpensive technique (used panels), the panels were practically free.
https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/30217540.cfm
Added a Trik-L-Start device. This handy ~$60 device takes a small amount of the charge going to your coach batteries (via solar or being plugged in) and charges/maintains your chassis battery. Keeps everything nice and topped off. Never having dead batteries is so nice...
Changed all the interior light bulbs to LEDs. LED light bulbs use ~1/5th the power. Changing them keeps the RV cooler in the summer months AND uses much less battery power. Cost: ~$15. These ones worked in my RV (verify yours are the same before purchasing):
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HRVKQDR
Upgraded the rear bed to a 10" memory foam mattress. Cost was ~$260 and definitely worth it. Here's the one I got...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JRHI0W2
Tornado black waste tank flush system added. This ~$50 project makes it so you can rinse out your black waste tank the best, easiest way possible. It not only pushes out all the waste on the bottom of your tank (...there's plenty left there after a "regular" dumping without a tank flush), but it cleans your waste tank walls and most importantly the SENSORS so that they read correctly. Very beneficial in my opinion.
https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/30315748.cfm
Added Roof Vent cover over the rear bedroom ceiling vent. This ~$30-40 addition allows you to keep the vent open while driving, while in storage, etc. Easy to do. Puts zero holes in your roof during install. I just put it over the bed to try out, but now I think I'll add one over the bathroom vent as well (...nice to be able to leave the bathroom vent open).
https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/30358230.cfm
While you are up there, you might want to also change the rubber vent cover seal especially if yours is all hard, brittle, and cracking. You can order it here, $13 for 2 vents:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08HZCW58V/
Added a fan over the rear bedroom bed. This allows for bringing in air and/or blowing air out. On one of my Majestic 28a units it had a pull handle to open/close the vent (instead of a crank handle). This forced me to get creative and create a custom, quiet vent fan. Cost was about $25. Here is a link to that project:
https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/30361696.cfm
On the other Majestic 28a, it had a crank type opening system. I happened to have a Heng's Vortex vent fan laying around so I installed that one in that RV.
Catalytic Converter anti-theft system and alarm. After having one of my CCs stolen (covered by insurance), I decided to do something to help prevent it from happening again. Even though insurance covered it, that RV was out for about 5-6 weeks (what a pain). For about $40 I was able to put together something pretty good. For an extra ~$60 I was able to install an alarm that covers the catalytic converter, the interior of the RV, and the main rear storage compartment. Here is a link:
https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/30358670.cfm
Added a locking gas cap. I don't ever want someone stealing my gas (...with prices this high, it could happen), or anyone putting anything into my gas tank (unlikely, but you never know). Cost was ~$12.
Adding cooling fans and boiler protection to the refrigerator. This is my latest project and not yet finished. I'll add a link when complete. Adding cooling fans to blow outside air through the back of the refrigerator and out the vent will help keep the fridge/freezer interior cooler (especially in warm months). Adding boiler protection will help prevent refrigerator damage and/or fire.
I think that's most of the upgrades. Hope you find this useful.
Have any of you added anything else that you really enjoy? Let us know.
Happy Camping!
Chris
