RV modifications seem to be all the rage with mods seemingly being featured on every RV related website and blog on the Internet. The topic is incredibly popular on this website, too. My RV Camper Modifications page is ranked number one in total page views and this doesn’t even include the modification articles themselves which are all highly ranked as well. There’s no doubt about, RV owners love to mod their RV’s. This article presents in a fun way the Top 5 Boondocking Mods
I must confess. I’m a mod junkie, too. As you can tell from my RV Modification page, I love modifying my truck camper. There’s something appealing about personalizing your RV to make it more functional, comfortable, and organized. Each trip or outing reveals a new need for some kind of modification or improvement. A new shelf here and 12 volt outlet there. A spice rack in the kitchen, the need for a light and storage hooks in an exterior storage compartment. I don’t think the process ever ends. At least for me, it hasn’t.
I’m often asked for my opinion on the best boondocking modifications, meaning the best modifications to make an RV more boondocking friendly. Choosing my number one mod was easy, but ranking the others proved to be much more difficult. They’re all useful in some way or I wouldn’t have installed them. It was difficult narrowing down the list, but after much personal wrangling, here are the Top 5 Boondocking Mods for truck campers and RVs:
1. Solar Power
An RV solar power system isn’t that complex either. The solar power system consists of one or more solar panels to generate a charging current, a charge controller to regulate that charging current, and one or more deep cycle batteries to store that current. It also consists of ancillary components such as a roof top combiner box for connecting multiple solar panels to the system, mounting brackets for attaching the solar panels to the roof, wiring to connect everything together, fuses to protect your system, and an optional battery monitoring system. Total cost for my three panel, 240 watt system was about $550.
2. LED Lights
3. Oxygenics Shower Head
4. AGM 6 Volt Batteries
5. Fan-tastic Vent Fan
Honorable Mention: Memory Foam Mattress
Those are Truck Camper Adventure’s Top 5 Boondocking Mods. Agree with the list or disagree? I’d be interested to get your thoughts here in the comments section.
Our travel trailer mattress was a complete POS. I describe it as like a rigid plastic sheet suspended at the four corners. Imagine something hard like that which gives into your body only by bending.
I hated the thing. But I wasn't going to go pay for something new…. not right away.
So, we bought a 3" memory foam topper. The combination of the two is awesome! We love that bed! I look forward to sleeping in the thing after a long day, or even just taking a nap on it when we go to the storage to visit the rig or perform light maintenance.
LP
Have done all except shower head and agm batteries, they will be next.
We replaced our mattress with a SimplySleeper SS-27Q air mattress. It sleeps very well with little weight. It feels completely different than the coleman air mattress we were using, and really not like an air mattress at all.
Sounds good, though I would worry about taking it at high altitude where the mattress would burst from the added air pressure.
You wrote: « the memory foam mattress is so comfortable that my wife and I actually look forward to sleeping in our camper now. » I don't get it, where would you sleep before???
We didn't like the OEM mattress. Very uncomfortable. We didn't like that aspect of traveling and camping in our camper. Now we actually look forward to sleeping in our camper with the new memory foam mattress. It's that comfortable.
Nice post sharing information related to Truck Modifications
Thanks for sharing such informative post. It was really worth reading the post.
Like you, number one is my solar setup. That's what allows me to save tons of money in site fees every year and to go wherever I want. Forests, beside lakes, even parking lots.
Number 2 would probably be the Wave 3 catalytic heater. Obviously I don't use it as much as the solar, but during the winter it sure keeps us warm and saves on the propane fill-ups.
My third favorite, and one that I use every day all over my little home, are my storage containers. I've purchased a bunch of cardboard framed suitcases, trunks, fake books, etc. that are very decorative and greatly expand my storage space. They are all out on display, here and there, and hold all my spices, kitchen items like can opener, spatulas, wooden spoons, etc., one has shoes, one has hats and scarves, another has office supplies. A slim one on my kitchen counter holds my Keurig coffee cups, etc. I get lots of compliments on them. 🙂
Hi, Barb. My last travel trailer had a Cat heater and I loved it. They put out an amazing amount of heat. Your storage containers have intrigued. Do you have a few pics of them you can share?
definitely have to look into that shower head:)
Yes, it's a great mod for the price.