So, we picked up the R-Pod 195 at the end of March 2022 and started to do the “little things” that we wanted.  Mid-May it has to go back to the dealer due to a front window leak, bathroom pocket door fell off the track on the trip from the dealer to the parking spot, we discovered slide damage that the dealer “overlooked” etc.  We got it back and on the first shake down long weekend, found that the bathroom pocket door keeps falling off, propane lines had issues, one of the windows the dealer fixed the first time had to be replaced.  After getting it back the second time and taking it on a longer trip, the pocket door kept falling off, found out its track is not installed properly, the repair to the front window screen frame was shoddily re-installed with one of the screws just hanging in space, hatch door under the front near the water drain valve that is supposed to seal off the access to the wires is warped and improperly installed so as to allow wind, rain, debris, critters etc.  We finally got an appointment to have all this stuff fixed, five months later!  So almost one year of ownership, it has spent more time at the dealer getting fixed or awaiting appointments to get all the warranty work done than we've been able to use it.

Anyway, the modifications we have done so far are mainly for our comfort and ease of use.

(Photos https://photos.app.goo.gl/5BSr8gXTLdRhrxSs9 )

• ·   Zip ties around pocket door hardware latches to keep it in place. Not sure if this will be a permanent fix but so far it works.
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• ·         Too old to keep lifting the end of the bed to access storage, so we removed the front panel, reinforced the framing with metal brackets, painted the inside and bought cloth baskets to use as “drawers”.   Added matching smaller baskets to top of closets secured with Velcro command strips.
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• ·         Installed a cargo net that can be put in place during transit to contain under bed storage.  Sewed clips and rings salvaged from old luggage straps to hold it in place to the back wood frame. It is unclipped and stored when we set up camp.
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• ·         Screwed a spare 3” x 3” rubber furniture caster cup to the underside of the bed so that when we had to lift the end of the bed, we could insert one end of a Brinks patio door security bar in it and the bar’s rubber end against the front framing post.  This holds the bed up whilst we secure the cargo net.
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• ·         Removed the footstools to prevent future damage to the floor, though a little late as the manufacturer had apparently goofed several times and there were already multiple much larger holes beyond the ones to secure the footstool.  Thanks to John Marucci’s video, I was able to fill the holes and paint the filler to blend in reasonably well.
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• ·         Recovered the footstools and replaced the terrible foam.  Installed a bottom to the insides of the footstools with remnant pieces of wire shelving for storage and then padded and covered the bare side.  Added felt on the bottom of the footstools to allow them to be slid easily and positioned as needed.  In transit they will sit on the anti-slide shelving liner next to the end of the under bed storage, where they fit perfectly secured with a luggage strap attached to the framing.
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• ·         Replaced couch foam and recovered with more comfortable fabric. Created a strap system to keep couch back cushions in place during transit and used anti slip shelf liner under the seat cushions.  
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• ·         As we do not need a double bed from the couch (works as a single in a pinch), replaced the very heavy table with two lightweight adjustable height tables that together weigh less than half the original.  Much easier to also take outside for use.  With the moveable footstools and 2 adjustable tables, we have more options. The tables are secured one on top of the other on the couch with half pieces of pool noodles to minimize banging.
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• ·         Installed a  PROMARINER–Universal AC Plug Holder to allow for pass through of WiFi extender antenna cord. The port is on the wall of the cubby by the TV so the small router can sit in the cubby.
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• ·         Attached an outlet extender to the base of the cubby to extend AC power to that area.
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• ·         Attached rows of the over-the-door shoe pockets to the sides of the under bed storage and below the bedside outlets as well as by the entrance, for doggie stuff (the pet bowl & net were not included).
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• ·         Wanted reading lights on the walls at the couch as well as at the head of the bed.  Found these LED rechargeable wall sconces . The mounts have 3M double back tape and the very strong magnet holds the light in place.  The lights have multiple settings and can be rotated to change direction.  The lights can be removed from the mounts and used as a flashlight or stored.
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• ·         Installed magnetic catches on all the overhead cabinets as well as a flip action latch on the pantry door as the door could be opened just by pulling the handle.
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• ·         Installed a full-length mirror on the pantry door.  Purchase the lightweight Mainstays door mirror, used hollow core mollies for the brackets but affixed acrylic mounting tape in 6” increments around the perimeter of the backside of the mirror before securing into the bottom mounts. It, unlike the bathroom pocket door, has not budged.
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• ·         I had read where others had problems with the plastic shelf brackets in the pantry, so we replaced them immediately with white metal ones, which blend in nicely.  Good thing too as the plastic ones were already cracked.
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• ·         Installed a ceiling mounted curtain track, which uses 3M mounting tape and made a curtain between the bed and couch area from a dark oversized sheet using alligator clips to mount the curtain.  Track specs claim to hold 11 pounds.  Installed hooks on either side of the opening so the curtain can be held back in two different positions as needed.
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• ·         Purchased a 2” thick latex mattress topper from a local mattress manufacturer; it really makes a difference.
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• ·         To solve the problem of a space for the kitchen trash, I found a bin that fits perfectly by the space under the microwave to the side of the pantry slide out.  I used a strap with rings to hold it to the cup hooks mounted in the cabinet under the microwave to prevent movement and interference with the slide.  Does double duty of holding the bin liner in place. Did the same thing in the bathroom, using a strap and cup hooks to hold the trash/brush combination bin in place during transit.
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• ·         Made a roll blind that is held to the screen door by magnets. This allows privacy but it can be pulled up to see who is at the door without having to open it.  The blind on the inside of the screen has magnet sewn to the back side and a piece of fake leather has the other magnets sewn to it and is placed on the outside of the screen. The bond is so strong the blind stays in place during transit.  Much less expensive than the after-market Lippert Thin Shade.
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• ·         To increase counter space in the bathroom, I used a white kitchen cutting board.  Affixed bumpers to the underside to keep from sliding out of its place in the sink during use and cut a hole to allow the use of the faucet whilst it was in place.  During transit it hangs on a hook with a piece of anti-slip shelf liner under it to hold it in place.
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• ·         I attached black bumpers to the underside of the sink cover that came with the sink as it would slip out of place whilst using it as extra counter space.  When the sink is in use it hangs from a hook on the wall by the stove top. When in transit, it is strapped with the folding tables on the couch.
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• ·         Installed two strips of LED lights with a connector over the sides and top of the medicine cabinet.  They are fed into a controller that can be turned on with a button or set for motion.  The controller is hung by a magnet on a metal plate and is rechargeable.  The controller sits in the medicine cabinet cubby during transit.  This provides a bit more forward light rather than just relying on the overhead light.  I may tap into the strip and add some LEDs to the underneath of the cabinet to shine some light down onto the sink.
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• ·         The extra Oxygenics shower head we had at home was installed right away.  We use them on our home showers.
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• ·         Bought the SoftStartUp and it has been worth its weight… We have run the AC unit off the 110 outlet in my mother’s garage. 
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• ·         Installed combination locks on the basement and replaced the door latch with RVLock Keyless entry system.  Glad we could turn off the confirmation beep; it is loud especially when taking the dog for an early morning walk.
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• ·         Found a 700W oil filled space heater that is small and compact and seems to do a reasonable job of heating the space.  It’s adjustable, quiet and we’ve used oil filled space heaters in rooms around our German Shepherd previously with no issues. The floor under the heater gets warm and whilst unlikely to burn, we are placing a remnant piece of cement Hardiboard under the heater when in use.

RV Accessories

            Just a few of many mods and accessories

QTY