Modifications to Our Sweet 17 B

[jadams]

Rust annoys me. Replaced factory steel screws with stainless screws. Not a color match though, which I'm okay with.

$2.00 for (10) #8 5/8" screws from the magical hardware bins in the basement at my local well stocked Ace Hardware.

[tburt]

Michelle, all very nice mods. I replaced most of the screws in the bathroom with stainless. Not sure why they don't do that at the factory... Nice work making it your own.

[jadams]

Hi Tom, Thank you! We noticed your nice hardware replacement. I know stainless may corrode over time also. I think ETI should be using better hardware too.

We so appreciate all the cool things you did to our trailer. Regrading the wet bath, now that we've been out quite a bit we really like how you removed the sink and tp holder and love your cedar plank shower floor mat. The wet bath is tiny, space is a premium!

Hope you're continuing to enjoy your new 21!

[Bea]

Hi Joel & Michelle, So enjoy all your mods, posts & pics! ...so creative and informative and very well done. -Bea

[TTMartin]

Originally Posted by jadams

Not a color match though, which I'm okay with.

A black Sharpie will make for a quick color match. It works surprisingly well.

[dfandrews]

Joel,
Nice work; keep us posted about successive mods.
I think your thread is going to be accessed a bunch in the future
by many!

[mimie]

Fabulous upgrades and pics, Joel and Michelle - totally inspiring. Thanks so much for sharing all the info here.
Hope you are able to get out and enjoy your camping outfit soon. You know where I live, and though it’s not a full-hook-up site, you are ALWAYS welcome (I’m retired now, so virtually always around) and the price is just about right.
Oh - and there IS electric, of course —
Take care, keep on letting us know all the cool things you’re doing to that Sweet 17B.

[jkcoug]

Is the angle iron 1" and the flat iron 1/2". ??
Thanks

[h2owmn]

Nicely done, all around! And your table is beautiful! Welcome to the 17 club!

[jadams]

Originally Posted by TTMartin

A black Sharpie will make for a quick color match. It works surprisingly well.

We think a like. I've done this so many times with various projects. Black, brown, blue and silver Sharpies have been used. Just couldn't get myself to do it in the Escape though.

[jadams]

Originally Posted by mimie

Fabulous upgrades and pics, Joel and Michelle - totally inspiring. Thanks so much for sharing all the info here.
Hope you are able to get out and enjoy your camping outfit soon. You know where I live, and though it’s not a full-hook-up site, you are ALWAYS welcome (I’m retired now, so virtually always around) and the price is just about right.
Oh - and there IS electric, of course —
Take care, keep on letting us know all the cool things you’re doing to that Sweet 17B.

Thank you Mimie!

We've been lucky to get out on 4 outings so far since July 4th weekend. Trying to figure out another 3 to 4 weekends. Thank you for your offer, Michelle and I coincidentally were chatting about visiting.

Have you been able to get out with your wonderful 17 you inspired us with?

[jadams]

My trailer came with the counter extension not installed. The stock brackets are too large so one’s not able to fold down the counter easily due to height of the permanent bed.

On our first trip we quickly discovered the little extra space would be handy when working in the small galley kitchen. Also, I felt the need to cover the unsightly holes.

Another forum member created something similar and gave me this idea. Thank you!

The mounting blocks I made are from 3 separate pieces of oak sandwiched and glued together and then screwed in place from the inside of the cabinet. Needed to epoxy a couple of small shims to the L brackets for a snug fit when installed. Just need to put two coats of poly on these which I can’t seem to find the time to do because we're using the trailer so much.

The counter extension is level and held in place tightly when installed. I just pop it out when travelling and place it on top of the bed.

Happy with the result.

[Bobbie54]

I don't get it. I'm unclear on the L-bracket and where it is when the counter extension is in place. I'd love to be able to do something like that if I can figure out what you did.

is the block made hollow (kind of like a knife block?)

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by Bobbie54

I don't get it. I'm unclear on the L-bracket and where it is when the counter extension is in place. I'd love to be able to do something like that if I can figure out what you did.

is the block made hollow (kind of like a knife block?)

Looks like that’s it Bobby . Pat

[jadams]

Originally Posted by Bobbie54

I don't get it... Is the block made hollow (kind of like a knife block?)

Ah yes, I should have taken pics prior to final assembly. Thanks for asking for clarification. Yes, the blocks are hollow like a knife block, perfect description.

Each block consists of 3 pieces of wood:
1- Inner slim 1/8” spacer. It is the same depth as the factory installed oak trim piece mounted directly under counter top
2- Middle wider spacer which places the back of the L bracket, when inserted, flush with the end of the counter top
3- Outer piece, contains the groove for the L bracket insert. I created this by running a long piece of oak repeatedly over a table saw blade with just under a 1/8" blade height. Then I cut it to proper length.

I glued all 3 pieces together. I first mounted the blocks with 15lb double sided tape and then I was able to catch the lower portions of the blocks from the back with 2 trim screws.

I hope the picture helps.

This is the only way I could figure out how to do this with my developing carpentry skills and limited tools. I don’t have a dado blade for my table saw or a router table yet, these tools would have worked better.

[Bobbie54]

Thanks. I figured it must be something like that. That might be beyond me, but the slot could be done by using two edge pieces between the two chunks of wood, too; I might be able to manage that.

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by Bobbie54

Thanks. I figured it must be something like that. That might be beyond me, but the slot could be done by using two edge pieces between the two chunks of wood, too; I might be able to manage that.

Yup that sure would work ! Pat

[jadams]

I desired a more discreet way of locking the drawer under the bed during travel. It was previously held in place by this chain door guard mounted to the left face of the drawer as seen in the filled holes in the pic.

Took me a little while to come up with this solution using a simple inexpensive surface barrel bolt lock. Figuring out the wood pieces stack width, perfect placement and installation in the tight space was a little tricky.

I've never worked in so many small spaces as what's in my 17 B!

I’m happy with this and find it easy to reach into the storage compartment to lock and unlock. Just needed to add locking the drawer to our packing & hitching checklist.

[Bobbie54]

Joel, when you and Michelle get on the road you are welcome to park in my driveway (at the beach!) as long as you want (or as long as it takes to do all the mods for my 17b...)

[jadams]

I think you offer a fair trade Bobbie! Sounds like your place on Whidbey Island with beach access would be an ideal location to visit and also help-out an Escape Forum friend. :-)

Looks like you live in a wonderful place. Google Maps: "Picturesque hilly island with pastel & earth-toned wooden buildings..."