Show off your Mods

[Grdrod1]

ThankS BnTinNV, I ordered one. It will keep the pressure off of the edge of my Voltage's power connection.

[13DenaliDually]

Originally Posted by sawpilot

I just finished a mod on the Trailair hitchbox... just added two more shocks so there's three of them now. Hoping this smooths the ride a little more. Will see. Pics and writeup at this link.

Part of my job at work is to analyze mod's to equipment. In the short term, this mod should give you an indication of whether it will do what you want. Long term, I believe you will need to support the outboard portions of the bolts to prevent breakage. Even very minor flexing of the bolt long term will cause it to fracture. Just my opinion, thought I'd pass it on.[/QUOTE]

I read your Write up and liked your pics. Seriously considered doing this to my Trailair on 2013 Voltage 3950 Epic III which I tow with a 2013 GMC Denali HD Dually. After a lot of thought and phone calls to the dealer (General RV), were I explained my bucking problem and terrifying trips down some of Michigan's finest roadways. I was told to re-hook the truck, check for level, be sure to have 85-90 psi in the hitch bag which brings it to the top of the arrow on the shock, and welcome to towing heavy equipment. Maybe you should consider Air Bags on the truck, was their best guess......... Unacceptable.
So I called Lippert ( Number on side of hitch), talked to Dan who helped design the hitch. He informed me that the hitch should be plenty for the trailer and load I carry. He also explained that the arrow on the shock is a minimum for travel. The Max psi in the bag is 120. He went on to say that this loading on the bag will change due to how you pack and how you tow. suggested that I try increasing the air and doing some ride testing on the next trip before doing any modifications which he did not recommend. So I did. I have to say, I now start at 100psi and have been totally satisfied with the ride my Rig has. My wife no longer "braces" herself for every little crack or change in road condition. It is now a very pleasant experience.
He did warn not to exceed 120psi.

It was worth the call to Dan at Lippert!!

[donzinger]

Talking to Dan does pay off. I spoke to him when I installed my first Trailaire on my other 5er - he instructed me to put enough air in the bag to make the upper and lower jaws of the hitch parallel with each other and not to mind the arrows on the shock. I went a step further and installed an air pressure gage on the airbag so that I can keep that sweet spot in mind once I find it when loaded or empty or anywhere in between.

[Chalkie]

Originally Posted by donzinger

Talking to Dan does pay off. I spoke to him when I installed my first Trailaire on my other 5er - he instructed me to put enough air in the bag to make the upper and lower jaws of the hitch parallel with each other and not to mind the arrows on the shock. I went a step further and installed an air pressure gage on the airbag so that I can keep that sweet spot in mind once I find it when loaded or empty or anywhere in between.

There are 33 pages of posts here, I am lazy and I admit it, have you ever posted pics of the gauge install? That sounds like a great idea!

[donzinger]

Originally Posted by Chalkie

There are 33 pages of posts here, I am lazy and I admit it, have you ever posted pics of the gauge install? That sounds like a great idea!

I have to get around to posting pics of all my mods. Many more to go this winter...

Not to insult anyone on the forum, but be sure to use a liquid filled gage to avoid freezing.

[Chalkie]

Originally Posted by donzinger

Not to insult anyone on the forum, but be sure to use a liquid filled gage to avoid freezing.

I don't mind being insulted because I will be the first to admit that there is a whole lot of things I don't know.

So what is a liquid filled gauge filled with that will not freeze as opposed to a gauge filled with just air?

[sundancer 87]

Originally Posted by Chalkie

I don't mind being insulted because I will be the first to admit that there is a whole lot of things I don't know.

So what is a liquid filled gauge filled with that will not freeze as opposed to a gauge filled with just air?

Oil filled gauges, the oil dampens the effects of vibration on the mechanism.

[Pirate]

Don,

Can't quite see how the gauge is attached to the Trailair.

Does it just screw onto the schraeder valve? Or is there a T ?

Like Chalkie...still learning!

Thanks,

Pirate

[donzinger]

I screwed a close nipple into where the schraeder valve was, then a tee. The gage on top and schrader valve in the front. Later I angled the tee so that the schraeder pointed more the left side of the unit to make it easy to add air when the rig is connected to the truck. Use the good brass and not the "red" brass fittings as they corrode quickly and look unsightly.

[Pirate]

Don,

Thanks a bunch!! I will get the parts and get the item on my Winter To-Do list!!

Thanks again!

[ATCguy]

Originally Posted by DesertRat

...Found the sliding tray on ebay & was going to install it in the front compartment to mount batteries on. Changed my mind & mounted my cord reel on it. Works nice.
Attachment 1530
Attachment 1531

I like that... You say you got the tray off eBay. Was this someone making them, or just a 1-off thing? If the former, do you have a link to his seller's page?

[Moto4play]

Originally Posted by DesertRat

Couple more modifications I made. My 28 year old son calls this the old man modification.
Attachment 1143

As most of the time it will be just my wife & myself this is what we came up with for a TV tray
Attachment 1144
Attachment 1145

What material did you use for the trays?

[DesertRat]

Originally Posted by ATCguy

I like that... You say you got the tray off eBay. Was this someone making them, or just a 1-off thing? If the former, do you have a link to his seller's page?

He still has some

Sliding Battery / Generator Tray for RV's and Trucks

[DesertRat]

Originally Posted by Moto4play

What material did you use for the trays?

Husband of a gal that rides horse with my wife made them up for us. He had some scrap Corian laying around. We gave her the measurements & after we mounted them that's how they turned out.

[ATCguy]

Originally Posted by ATCguy

I like that... You say you got the tray off eBay. Was this someone making them, or just a 1-off thing? If the former, do you have a link to his seller's page?

Originally Posted by DesertRat

He still has some

Sliding Battery / Generator Tray for RV's and Trucks

Hey... Just wanted to follow up on this and say "Thanks!"

I ordered a pair a slides from him before I left on my trip last week, and they were here at the house waiting on me when I got back. Installed one of them today, and that's gonna be a nice addition. Now I won't have to unload hoses & other items I have in the basement to wind/unwind my power cord.

Not sure if or where I'll install the other one... but I'm sure I'll find a use for it at some point.

[VoltageGuy]

I like this one a lot.

[DesertRat]

Glad I could help.

[jeffwelsh]

I used conduit hangers to mount the ladder underneath out of the way.

[ATCguy]

That's a good idea if you keep the ladder that came with the rig.

Not sure if you could call thus a 'mod' or not... but I removed mine from the rig, leave it at home, and bring along an 8' A-frame step ladder. This allows me to move it around the rig as needed to lube the slides, clean the awnings, etc. When I need to get up on the roof, I put the garage door horizontal in 'patio mode', set the A-frame on it, and climb up.

I'm looking at ways of installing some hooks on the outside of the ramp-door to hang the ladder on when traveling, but haven't come up with anything I'm comfortable with yet.

[Moto4play]

I leave mine at home and carry an Xtenda Climb, its 12.5' extended and about 30" collapsed. You can reach the roof from the ground but do prefer to set it up on the ramp door.