Mods I Haven't Seen Elsewhere

[War Eagle]

Originally Posted by stormforce

ok great ! ill defenetly lookinto that , it may be different location on the 21

The solar controller is normally located near the battery(ies), so it would make sense to locate the external solar port near there, as well. In the 2017 21', that would be rear passenger-side.

[War Eagle]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

If so, why would you do this? Is this something to do with that craziness of making your trailer look like a Christmas tree. If this is the case, I still don't understand.

Someone else on this forum who did likewise indicated they saw a need after having to briefly abandon their trailer on the side of the road at night due to an emergency and wanted to be sure other drivers could see it to avoid running into it until they could return and hitch back up. Added visibility at night is also what prompted me to add red-white-red reflector strips onto our rear bumper. I hope they are never needed, but they are there just in case (kind of like my tire jack).

[stormforce]

ok perfect thanx War Eagle !,

[New Adventures]

Originally Posted by War Eagle

Someone else on this forum who did likewise indicated they saw a need after having to briefly abandon their trailer on the side of the road at night due to an emergency and wanted to be sure other drivers could see it to avoid running into it until they could return and hitch back up. Added visibility at night is also what prompted me to add red-white-red reflector strips onto our rear bumper. I hope they are never needed, but they are there just in case (kind of like my tire jack).

The reflector tape on the rear bumper is an excellent idea. Significantly adds to safety and an inexpensive addition. Thanks for sharing.

[TheWanderers]

I like the idea of hanging a map of the United States that could be used for reference or trip planning but when I looked them up on Amazon I found a lot of very expensive school sized maps for classrooms.

Then I figured that out how to down size the roll-up method while being able to hang a state or county map as needed. Maybe you're not a cross-country traveler and only need a state map; just use and old window shade and tape your current state map to the surface and roll it up out of the way when not needed!

I found this window shade on Amazon that could be used, as an example, if you don't have any of the old ones hanging around that you want to "borrow" for your trailer. (Besides, your wife would get mad at you for stealing one of the house shades.) Go to Lowes or Home Depot and they'll have 'em way cheaper than Amazon and you can mount it in a lot of places, like over the dinette table.

[SFDavis50]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I bought this tape and put it on the rear bumper. I have about 4 ' left over and plan to use a little more higher up on the rear corners. Very bright.

[thoer]

Originally Posted by SFDavis50

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I bought this tape and put it on the rear bumper. I have about 4 ' left over and plan to use a little more higher up on the rear corners. Very bright.

We used the same stuff after seeing it on Leon and Lindy's 21. I think it is a very good idea.

[AKCamper]

Originally Posted by SFDavis50

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I bought this tape and put it on the rear bumper. I have about 4 ' left over and plan to use a little more higher up on the rear corners. Very bright.

I just put a roll in my Amazon shopping cart. Can't be seen in the dark too much.
Thanks for the tip.

[labearit]

We used the same reflective tape for our 5.0 TA. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Plan to put some of the extra on our bike rack.

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by labearit

We used the same reflective tape for our 5.0 TA. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Plan to put some of the extra on our bike rack.

We also used the same reflective tape now for 4 years. When we ordered trailer did not know about getting extra lights . So I thought it was good idea to add tape . I also added reflectors on body and corners of rear bumper . Pat

[dfandrews]

Originally Posted by Chapitre

Does anyone know when escape started using LED's in the running lights?

Mid-2015: Our 17 was hatched in Sept. 2015, with LED's. Earlier in 2015 there were hatchlings with incandescent lamps.

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

If so, why would you do this? Is this something to do with that craziness of making your trailer look like a Christmas tree. If this is the case, I still don't understand

I installed a switch within the trailer, for when we overnight in a rest area, parking lot, or other traffic-laden area, for identification/protection. It also lights us up 360° if we hear a noise outside, and want to discourage whatever!

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by dfandrews

I installed a switch within the trailer, for when we overnight in a rest area, parking lot, or other traffic-laden area, for identification/protection. It also lights us up 360° if we hear a noise outside, and want to discourage whatever!

I guess we are all different. I would rather be as unnoticeable as possible, even at a place like Walmart. Never actually considered there would even be an issue. We do lock the door when going to bed in these places, that would be good enough for us. We do tend to be trustworthy folks.

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by dfandrews

Mid-2015: Our 17 was hatched in Sept. 2015, with LED's. Earlier in 2015 there were hatchlings with incandescent lamps.



I installed a switch within the trailer, for when we overnight in a rest area, parking lot, or other traffic-laden area, for identification/protection. It also lights us up 360° if we hear a noise outside, and want to discourage whatever!

Don what a great idea ! Do you have some more easy to follow information for this electrical novice ? Pat

[dfandrews]

Originally Posted by Patandlinda

Don what a great idea ! Do you have some more easy to follow information for this electrical novice ? Pat

Well, Pat, let's see:
I located the switch under an existing 12V DC plug, so I'd have a close-by source of power and ground connections. This happened to be under our full-time bed in the front of the 17A. (Photo at bottom).

Over on the side wall under the bed was the green wire running to the running lights (markers and tail lights), so I connected to it with a tap splice connector:


Summary: hot wire (+12V DC) to line side of switch from adjacent outlet.
Since the switch was lighted, also ran a ground wire to switch from adjacent outlet.
Green wire to tap splice connector on running light wiring from load side of switch.
The switch itself is a 12V DC lighted switch available at auto parts stores or hardware stores. Typically, they have male spade connections on the rear, or sometimes screw terminals.

Questions: give me a call; I'm now retired, and less than 25 miles away. ( eight ohh five three one two ohh tree tree fore )

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by dfandrews

Well, Pat, let's see:
I located the switch under an existing 12V DC plug, so I'd have a close-by source of power and ground connections. This happened to be under our full-time bed in the front of the 17A. (Photo at bottom).

Over on the side wall under the bed was the green wire running to the running lights (markers and tail lights), so I connected to it with a tap splice connector:


Summary: hot wire (+12V DC) to line side of switch from adjacent outlet.
Since the switch was lighted, also ran a ground wire to switch from adjacent outlet.
Green wire to tap splice connector on running light wiring from load side of switch.
The switch itself is a 12V DC lighted switch available at auto parts stores or hardware stores. Typically, they have male spade connections on the rear, or sometimes screw terminals.

Questions: give me a call; I'm now retired, and less than 25 miles away. ( eight ohh five three one two ohh tree tree fore )

Thankyou Don . I am going to print your post out . Thankyou for the offer to help . Pat

[sclifrickson]

US wall map doesn’t fit as well on our 19 as it did on the 17B, as we have dome lights now, but still turned out ok, and will be useful. Apologies to Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, and certain counties in Iowa and Missouri.

[emers382]

What about poor old Kansas there's hardly any of it left?

Adrian

[sclifrickson]

Sorry! Apologies to Kansas!

[Honair]

Originally Posted by emers382

What about poor old Kansas there's hardly any of it left?

Adrian

Kansas was so far gone .... totally missed....

[Iowa Dave]

Could have turned it the long way but considering the geographical center of the lower 48 is iin Kansas they are still screwed. Who has one of those flexible mirrors mounted where your map is? Ooh ooh what a great idea for a conversation/ rumor stater on trailer tours.