MVA E19 modification thread

[MVA]

Forum,

We have had our trailer for over 5 years now and have done a number of modifications. We have received assistance and guidance from this forum and especially from a number of forum members, from both their posts and direct PMs. I had started documenting for ourselves the modifications we had done and thought afterword that it may be helpful to others. This thread will be a set of posts briefly giving an overview of our modifications. If you desire additional information, let me know.

Some of our modifications are similar (or copies!) to what others have posted; some are more original.

Details of modifications not included. YMMV. Use at your own discretion. :-)

2 cents

[MVA]

The stock shades around the bed are not insulated or light blocking. The shades were replaced with insulated curtains. The bed area is significantly warmer on cool nights and passing car lights do not shine into the trailer. (Original thread: https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...tml#post387096)

In a small trailer, there is minimal space to hang-up towels or wet clothes. We added closet rod pockets to the cabinets above the bed. The mounting screws are backed with 2”x2” wood blocking. The rods are stored under the bed when not in use, using EMT straps to hold the rods.

[MVA]

We did not order shelves in the wardrobe closet (mistake). We ordered from ETI an under-closet drawer front and hardware, cut and trimmed out the cabinet front below the wardrobe door, and mounted the drawer front as a door. We then added shelves to the closet.

The extremely slow draining of the kitchen sink was annoying. As TDF-Texas showed, we replaced the sink trap with a HepvO valve. Works great now.

In order to maximize storage and protect pot/pan lids, we added lid racks to the back of the three bottom doors. Adds significant space to the kitchen area storage and the racks protect the lids. (Original post: https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...tml#post385946)

[MVA]

The medicine cabinet did not hold our items securely. On our first trip, everything spilled out. As others have done, we added L channel, held on with pop-rivets, to form a lip on the shelves and to stiffen the shelves. ¼” aluminum rods were also added to secure items. The rods were cut ½” longer than the interior cabinet size, inserted in drilled holes and caulked in place to secure them. The stock shower head was not to our liking. It was replaced and stain-reliefs were added to protect the faucet from cracking. Not shown is a 3M Command hook next to the toilet to secure the shower curtain when not in use.

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000OAG63G

[MVA]

Shoe holders were added to the side of the kitchen cabinet and to the side of the bathroom cabinet.

The stock table was not functional for us. We do not need to make a second bed, the stock table rocked, the table legs were always in the way, and it was difficult to get into the driver side of the dinette. We removed the stock table and built a table to suit our needs. Design was based in part of a couple of other designs seen on-line. Storage is available under the table now. The table is stable and can be removed quickly if we need additional space to work on the D/S dinette electrical bench.

[MVA]

When upgrading the electrical system, we designed it based on our needs to the following requirements: convert to LiFePO4; have battery inside trailer, in part to allow for additional storage in the front locker; one 200-watt solar panel and 100 A-hr battery based on our projected needs; all electrical equipment in the D/S dinette bench to minimize trailer space consumed and wiring lengths. The space available under the D/S dinette bench is oddly shaped, the outer surfaces are fiberglass (mounting difficulties), the controllers require vertical mounting on non-combustible surfaces, and we wanted to allow for ventilation. The final design allows for controller wiring access if needed through a removal vent.

[MVA]

We added a solar panel as part of the electrical system conversion. The trailer is not ortho-rectangular, so a set of custom panel mounts was designed. During our research, we noted numerous examples of solar panels coming off of ETI trailers. After a number of calls to trailer solar panel installers and to solar panel retailers, we noted that the current ETI design did not satisfy the panel retailer mounting requirements; affix on the long edge on the solar panel’s prescribed holes. In addition, we were concerned with using only 3M VHB tape to affix the mount. The final design allows for replacement of the panel if needed in the future, satisfies the venders’ mounting requirements, and allows for the slopped surfaces of the roof. The panel mount feet are affixed with 3M VHB tape and hardware.

The solar panel wires were run down the roof and enter the trailer through a weather-tight clam shell, into the interior wall cavity between the bathroom and D/S dinette, and then down the black tank vent chase, exiting to the D/S dinette bench. Much easier than removing the refrigerator and fishing wires behind the shower. ProFlex caulk was applied to perimeter of the solar panel and cable tie mounts (caulk not shown in photograph).

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B088TKB6LY

[MVA]

Screens were installed to keep wasps and other insects from entering the trailer through the appliance vents. When camping in Hot Springs N.P. in 2021, we noted that the 30-amp shore-power plug was warm to the touch and that the weight of the cord was pulling the plug askew. We installed the Smart Plug and socket; the connection is significantly more secure. The plastic latch on the water heater cover broke within a month of ownership. A metal one has worked fine since.

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MBG7JG9?th=1 www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0024E6UE0
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JGBZNXW?th=1
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004PI8U5U
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006JLVFI?th=1

[MVA]

There have been numerous comments on the forum concerning water infiltration, suspected from the belly band. The belly band is attached to the trailer with a set of pop-rivets. In addition, there is a noticeable gap between the belly band and the trailer. Given that water can visibly run under the belly band and the pop rivets are water wicking, we decided to seal the top edge of the belly band to the trailer with Proflex.

[MVA]

To facilitate aligning the hitch and ball when backing up, the hitch was painted with a bright yellow paint line so the hitch center line is significantly more visible in the backup camera.

When on the road, we noted that one of the stabilizers was hanging down; the self-drilling screw in the L bracket had fallen out. Not surprising given that the L bracket is thin enough to only capture one to two threads on the screw. When removing the stabilizer in the campground, one of the other two self-drilling screws into the channel frame broke. The ETI installer apparently over-torqued the screws. After getting home, we checked the other self-drilling screws and a few others also broke when being removed. We used a screw removal tool to remove the snapped screw shanks, then used new self-drilling screws, star lock washers, and Loctite on the outer channel. On the L bracket, we drilled the hole to accept a larger bolt & nylon locknut. Added sandpads to stabilizers.

We replaced the original equipment breakaway cable with a Fastway Zip 6 Foot Breakaway Cable and Pin.

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00718W3YK

[MVA]

Other modifications on the exterior are:

• Added a 7-pin plug holder attached to the outside of the storage locker to keep the 7-pin clean and dry: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007IN3M2
• Replaced the CH751 keyed lock cylinder on the exterior storage door with a lock cylinder that matches the door lock cylinder
• Added brake inspection plugs to the brakes
• Replaced E2 hitch drop shank to make trailer tow level with TV: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AZS94B8

Other modifications on the interior are:

• Clevis pin to prop open emergency window for ventilation
• Replace sink insert with a cutting board
• 3M Command hooks for coats, towels in bathroom, 3M Command large bins next to bed, 3M Command towel bar next to kitchen
• Added interior refrigerator fan to circulate air for better cooling: https://www.rvcoolingunit.com/Dometi...-P5672097.aspx
• Added LED light to under bed storage: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077Y1BT6Q
• Notched P/S bench foam cushion to fit around corner on entry door. Very minor, but a real annoyance that cushion kept popping out
• Added paper towel holder to kitchen cabinet door: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0020VFM3C?th=1

[Ron in BC]

Thanks for posting.

Nice to see that folks are still doing mods. Over the years, maybe due to the incredible number of options now available, it seems that the number of people doing mods has declined.

Lot's of nicely done stuff.

Ron

[MVA]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

Thanks for posting.

Nice to see that folks are still doing mods. Over the years, maybe due to the incredible number of options now available, it seems that the number of people doing mods has declined.

Lot's of nicely done stuff.

Ron

Thanks Ron. We have had a lot of quality advice from forum members over time. Some mods are simple, others far more complex. Hope this inspires others.

--Steve

[WillyB]

Originally Posted by MVA

We did not order shelves in the wardrobe closet (mistake). We ordered from ETI an under-closet drawer front and hardware, cut and trimmed out the cabinet front below the wardrobe door, and mounted the drawer front as a door. We then added shelves to the closet.

The extremely slow draining of the kitchen sink was annoying. As TDF-Texas showed, we replaced the sink trap with a HepvO valve. Works great now.

In order to maximize storage and protect pot/pan lids, we added lid racks to the back of the three bottom doors. Adds significant space to the kitchen area storage and the racks protect the lids. (Original post: https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...tml#post385946)

I'm stealing the lid holder design.

[MVA]

Originally Posted by WillyB

I'm stealing the lid holder design.

Check out the video link in the original post:

https://fixthisbuildthat.com/diy-pot...tion-projects/

This mod was based on a design that a guy did for his home kitchen to create space and store lids.

[Eggscape]

Very nice.

[Lorraine Pittsburgh]

Just when I think that everything that can be done to an Escape has been done...

Thanks so much for sharing these!

[MVA]

Originally Posted by Lorraine Pittsburgh

Just when I think that everything that can be done to an Escape has been done...

Thanks so much for sharing these!

Thanks. Perhaps one of the simplest mods we have done is the hitch paint. Paint a line on the hitch coupler so that it is visible in low light. Takes only a few minutes, costs nothing (assuming you have a bright color paint at home) and has long term benefit.

[MVA]

Originally Posted by Eggscape

Very nice.

Thanks Ed.

[cpaharley2008]

I once thought we would never need a second bed until Noelia could not attend a rally and I took a friend instead. That second bed was used then....