I just placed my order for the first batch of upgrade items to be put on the new motorhome. I'll admit I have Spring fever since I'm buying things and I don't even have a motorhome yet, but I've got to do something to pass the time.


I've been thinking, what are the itmes that you've added to your motorhome, or wished it had come with direct from the manufacturer?

Are there any things that you wished would have been installed by the manufacturer so you didn't have to put them on yourself.

So far as major items, I have:

MaxxAir coversn over the roof vents
SeeLevel Tank Monitoring System
Intellitec EMS system
Progressive Industries Surge Protector

Joe, I'm in almost the same boat as you but you're getting a new bus and i've just purchased an '07 Phaeton that's sitting 800 miles away 'til I can pick it up in April. I'm doing the same as you. Got my list and buying a little at a time. Too bad the list is longer than my wallet. One thing for you to think about that's not on your list would be an Hughes Autoformer. Another might be a 5.7 ShurFlo water pump.

On another note. You gonna bring that new bus home in the snow?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Oldrtrcr,

Good idea on the water pump. I actually have a Flojet variable speed already at home and ready to install.

As far as the snow....I've got my fingers crossed we get some decent weather when it's time for the rig to be delivered. If it does get driven in snow on the way to the dealer, I'm going to have them pull it in their shop and hose it off. I'll wait for a good day to bring it home then as the dealer is only 20 miles or so from home

My Wish List
Surge Guard (Ready to install)
Sun Shades (Will be installed in AZ in March)
Maxx Aire Vent Covers (Completed)
Central Vac
Water Softener
Tire Monitors
Window Awnings

Joe:

My list for a new coach would be same as your's if it did not come with those items. I remember when we were driving home from Illinois with our new-to-us Journey stopping at a CW in Lousiville to buy a surge guard, Maxxair covers, and a few other goodies.

I am surprised that Tiffin does not include an EMS on the Bus? Is than an option that you just elected to do yourself? Also, are the tanks on a Bus fairly easy to access to install the See Level sensors?

I'm guessing the waiting is pretty intense now...you getting any sleep? Thinking about the giant sucking sound soon to be heard on my wallet would be making me nervous. That, of course, is cured when you get your hands on that bad boy .

Joe,
Would you consider getting AGM batteries and solar panels? If you do alot of dry camping you might want to look into them.

Joe,

I suggest you not forget the "little" stuff; e.g., tire covers, extra towel hooks, a complete set of fuel and oil filters, etc.

One thing we added was a window awning on the PS couch window. On our '05 Bus, the only windows w/o separate awnings were the PS couch and kitchen window; most likely because they were "covered" by the patio awning. However, the patio awning is too high for effective sun control in the late afternoon. Besides, sometimes you can't have the big awning out in the wind. Maybe the '08 43' is different but I've never seen a picture showing the smaller, separate awning. The separate awning isn't cheap but it's worth it to us. On ours, the awning is identical to the PS bedroom window awning.

Good luck.

1: More time for traveling
2: Early retirement
3: Lower diesel prices
4: Good health so I can enjoy the above
5: My Phaeton to keep performing as it is now.

Wow! A bunch of great suggestions.

Raca-roni,

You asked about the AGM bateries and solar power. Tiffin used to use AGM's in some of their rigs a couple years ago. I would have liked if they had continued this process, but our motorhome will be shipped with 6 - 6 volt flooded deep cycle batteries. I'm thinking about converting to AGM's but will probably put that towards the end of the upgrade list since the changeover will be pretty costly.

If I happen to run across someone needing the 6 golf cart batteries for their rig or golf car, I'll make the change then, but until that happens I'll use the current batteries.


Smlranger,

Tiffin does not yet install an EMS which honestly is a bit surprising. If you recall, Winnebago uses a stripped down 4 circuit version of the Intellitec 50 amp control system. With Cruzer's help, I've got a 6 circuit system on order to install in the Bus. It will control the electric portion of the HydroHot, the 3 airconditioners, and the electric block heater. There will be an addtional control circuit available as well which I can control some addtional power function as well. I would have used that circuit to cut the refridgerator electric so it would switch to gas, but since I have the residential fridge, there is no gas option.

The seelevel should be a pretty easy install. I plan on photographing and documenting that whole install when I do it.

Chuck,

The window awnings are important...fortunately Tiffin has started installing them on all windows so they are over the PS side couch from the factory. Maybe they took your suggestion.

rotts4u

Best suggestions. I hope we all get those

Joe,
My 07 42QRP has a 3k inverter. With it I have four 12v coach batteries. No 6v batteries. I haven't checked to see if they are AGM's. It would be a real good thing if they were.

One other thing we have that is Great! We have a coffee table for the front of the coaches. It really works well for us! The legs fold up and we store it in the back closet on the floor when traveling.

Cruzer,
Do you know if they are?