Have the new trailer. Any good suggestions?

[samhain7]

Hi all. Not new to camping. Had a 2011 trailer we bought used.
Now we have our first NEW trailer. 2015 starcraft autumn ridge 289bhs.

Any good suggestions for mods, maintenance or things to do?

[tll]

samhain7 wrote:
tll. So far, LOVE the starcraft. I don't know how previous years were. But it seems they really took the time to include all the amenities, and little details.
One example is a light switch right by the bed that turns on the outside lights on both sides of the trailer.. I assume it is if maybe you hear someone snooping around at night?
We have so far only found two issues. The couch was installed too close to the wall, and doesn't fold down properly. And the plastic window on the screen door that slides get's stuck. No leaking and no other issues....
LOVE the trailer...

Great to hear you love your Starcraft, we hope we do too. Our Jayco has been great, once we worked out a few kinks. I always thought we had the perfect trailer, and never anticipated replacing it so soon. I guess that's what happens when you surf the net waiting for the snow to melt. I believe ours will have the same switch for the "scare" lights.

[Huntindog]

Lots of things that can be done. There are a few I like to do that are easy and cheap, and make a long term benefit to the over all resale of the unit. Before cooking inside for the first time, get some plexiglass or the like and some 1' square Velcro Cut the plexiglass to make a clear surround around the stove, All units will be different, but I have always been able to do it using the fan shroud to help hold it in place. The Velcro is for areas that will need it. It is available in colors and clear, so a pretty close match to the wallpaper is possible. It can usually be installed so that removal for cleaning is easy.

Next look over all cabinets and doors, microwave, fridge etc. noting where they will bump into each other and walls leaving wear marks and even holes in the tissue thin wallpaper. You can get a variety pack of foam, rubber silicone and felt bumpers pretty cheap. IIRCC, I got them at WalMart. A tip here: When you have a choice as to which surface to apply the bumpers to, pick the harder more durable one. I have some of mine on the center of door knobs (the grey foam ones match the silver knobs) rather than the wall. And some doors may only interfere when both are in certain positions, but can still benefit from bumpers.

[westend]

Since I'm somewhat fussy about running gear and trust no one, I would be pulling wheels, repacking bearings, and adjusting brakes.

[samhain7]

tll. So far, LOVE the starcraft. I don't know how previous years were. But it seems they really took the time to include all the amenities, and little details.
One example is a light switch right by the bed that turns on the outside lights on both sides of the trailer.. I assume it is if maybe you hear someone snooping around at night?
We have so far only found two issues. The couch was installed too close to the wall, and doesn't fold down properly. And the plastic window on the screen door that slides get's stuck. No leaking and no other issues....
LOVE the trailer...

[AirForceAngler]

Dick_B wrote:
Caulk above anything that protrudes to the outside like running lights, side lights, etc. My dealer uses white silicone.
I'd leave the bottom open for drainage.

This is good advice. The first thing I've done with my past 3 trailers (2 new, one used) was to pretty much recaulk everything. Windows, doors, lights, fixtures, whatever. On the first 2 that I did, I used a caulk called Quad that was recommended by the dealer. My current one I used Geocel's Proflex Clear. Using silicon is not recommended as it doesn't adhere as well as other sealants.

I mask off around each item that I'm going to caulk as it makes a much nicer finish.

I learned the hard way from my first TT to keep an eye on all of the seams and caulked areas. With that TT, we had severly rotted floors in 4 areas under some carpet. There was absolutely no idication of leaks anywhere on the ceiling or walls, just one soft spot that showed up after 3 years. When I pulled the carpet up I found 3 more rotted spots. Very disheartening, let me tell you.

Good luck with the new TT and enjoy!

[ADK_Camper]

Here's a link to an earlier post by me that shows multiple mods I made to my camper. Check them out HERE

[Dick_B]

Caulk above anything that protrudes to the outside like running lights, side lights, etc. My dealer uses white silicone.
I'd leave the bottom open for drainage.

[tll]

samhain7 wrote:
Hi all. Not new to camping. Had a 2011 trailer we bought used.
Now we have our first NEW trailer. 2015 starcraft autumn ridge 289bhs.

Any good suggestions for mods, maintenance or things to do?

Congrats on the new trailer! We should be taking delivery of a 2015 Starcraft Travel Star 299BHU in a few weeks. Can't wait!

[wannavolunteerF]

although there are lots of mods that can be made, I think you should take your time and live with your new TT before you do lots of mods. The first one I did when I got a new TT, was making a sewer hose holder out of fence post. I attached mine to the top of my bumper rather than trying to hang it under the frame like so many do.. made it easy to do immediately.. the other mods I have made have been as I lived with it.. you wouldn't want to make a mod and then realize you should have put it elsewhere.. it took me a few trips to decide the best place for the knife rack, and I have rearranged the cabinets and bins a time or two since I moved in.

[SpoiledRotten]

As you know from already being a camper owner, the only thing that I will emphasize is to keep up with periodic maintenance! Keep a good check on things that take on the road and weather every day; roof, seams around the whole camper, brakes, underside, tires, moisture inside. A good dehumidifier is a great thing to have and if you keep your camper plugged in, put the dehumidifier on a timer to come on at least once a day to keep the moisture and mildew at bay.

Enjoy!

[path1]

1st Congrats

2nd 2 threads that you find something.

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/19777656.cfm

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/17436377.cfm

Over 500 pages, and even more....google "RV MOD"

(you hit the Mother lode"

[mrkoje]

Congrats to you. There are tons of things you can do .. what ever you decide make sure it fits the way you will camping. Personally I would add as many solar panels as you can get but that's me and I like to boondock.