Purchased camper 04/11/01 : This wasn't the camper we were looking-bout twice the camper we were looking for, but When Margaret stepped into it well.....
Its a 2001 Elkhorn 9U 9'-9" floor length, 3500lbs wet.

 
Started modifying our camper 1st weekend we got it. Thought I?d start (for lack of anything better to do at the moment) documenting them. When I have an idea or question I've found a lot of info and answers/ideas from what others have done or suggested on different forums (primarily RV. NET) and others personal web pages. This page is devoted to those updates/modifications to our camper. Hopefully this might encourage someone else to just "do it" or ideas . Note - none of these modifications are answers to any specific questions- just what I did to ours, hopefully there is some information that can help or ideas, options for your camper or project.

 A few of the modifications listed are to the Truck -related to/because of the camper. Other modifications / additions to our camper come with some campers/models (ie 110v outside receptacle, reading lights etc.) Our Elkhorn was the mid- Fleetwood model.

I've added a links section, toward bottom of page are links to others project pages, forums, other sites and my other pages. If you've stumbled across this and haven't visited the RV.net forum - check them out-a wealth of information!!

Info on our camper-floor plan and specs sheet Includes features, options & capacities for all '01 Fleetwood Elkhorn model truck campers
Virtual interior view windows media movie

                                   
Virtual Campers visiting last revision 02/2013

Site map/ Index of pages If searching for something particular might be easier, not as descriptive as below, but semi-sorted into categories.

Below, listed by date the modification/additions to our camper with a description & link to separate page if created.

04/22/01

Add air springs to truck.
When I left the waiting room to see our newly installed camper on the truck....Oh-Oh, sure is a lot bigger on truck. "Oh your truck will handle it fine" (yea well the salesman didn't have to drive it), trip home with our new camper was SCARY. I had ordered air bags when we decided on camper but hadn't installed yet. Got home and installed air bags. This helped tremendously with the camper bouncing on the springs, and virtually got rid of the really bad lean going around corners. Pretty straight forward install. [update: add in dash control, 02/04 see below]

05/14/01

Raise main wardrobe closet door 2" over bed and add spacer to bottom of opening to allow more room between door and bed. Lying anything on bed or extra blankets got to be a pain.

05/01

removed under bed storage (was flip up platform entire bed X 6" deep ~75#). More headroom & this allows us to sit up in the bed +plus got rid of weight especially off nose of camper. I've used some of the wood in other mods. Kinda defeated the raising of the closet door.

05/01

added several shelves in various cabinets, the cabinets by the bed didn't have any. Add shelf & spring loaded rods in front of under sink cabinet, Stuff was always falling out when you opened the door. Added shelf in TV cabinet. (We were using a 5" TV and the cabinet was wasted space.) Used simple "L" brackets that plug into drilled 1/4 holes & pine boards wrapped in wood grain shelf vinyl

05/01

Installed folding Alum scissor steps (our 4X4 diesel with basement camper is a LONG ways off the ground)

06/01

Install new Swing out TV shelf to outside of TV cabinet (freeing up cabinet for supplies). Had to move cable plug to outside of cabinet which involved cutting hole thru wall and installing receptacle from outside. Shelf swings over small bed cabinet, resting on trim and latches to wall for traveling.

06/01

Add a fold out hand rail to aid walking up the steps.

06/01

Add a second battery to camper with Perko switch. Enlarged existing cabinet in rear of camper for larger door. Add battery box, rewire for both batteries to main switch. One camper battery didn't cut it plus now I turn them off (or select 1,2 or both)

06/01

add Rancho 9000 shocks to truck-unbelievable difference in the sway and the way the camper rides.

09/01

add bullet reading lights over bed.

04/02

Add second water pump switch and pilot light in bath,.... rewire so that either switch can turn on/off the water pump from either location (Sometimes we now play dueling switches) Just 1 to many times had to go back to kitchen to turn water on.

04/02

Change light over dinette to Florescent (see also 12/04 added over kitchen area)

05/02- Update 04/08

Rotate spare tire hoist so it points to right rear fender well, reinstall. With the overhang of the camper and too close to bumper for other options I couldn't insert the rod to lower spare tire. Others have used flexible cable, left rod in and use ratchet, if you do a search on the forums you'll find lots of post. I seem to be the only one I can find that simply rotated the hoist assembly. It was pretty simple on our 01 F250. All of the other options I've seen would require me, at least on our unit, to lay on the ground to access the hoist, and still would be difficult.

06/02

Camper slides, underbed rail lights. Cut strips of PTF and attached to bottom edge of camper. Also pics of under bed rail lights for loading camper at night, SST tailgate pillar covers & reinforced bed cargo tie downs

06/02

Install exterior 110 volt weather proof receptacle to rear of camper

07/02

Add a slide out topper, our camper didn't come with one. Made a HUGE difference in the amount of sound. Now we can actually sleep when it rains. Before the rain was soooo loud hitting the slide out roof. It also keeps some of the debris off.

09/02

Changed generator door screen to louvers.

09/02

Screened all vents. At same time changed gen screen I hot glued window screen to all vents, water heater/refer/heater etc. We were camped some place and got invaded with these lil brown beetles. They literally filled up the gas tube of the water heater, couldn't get it to light, when it finally lit -whooommphh, and blew out a cloud a lil fried beetles. I don't know why they were in there but they caused the gas to build up before the igniter. I've had wasps in the refer vents.

06/03

Install back up lights-rubber tractor style mounted to rear camper bumper.

07/03

Painted bottom of camper & rear over hangs ,flat black & textured.

07/03

Add Tork-Lift camper tie downs. I had removed Happy jack mounts to have re powder coated when we lined bed of truck and noticed they had started bending up the outside of the bed plus rear Ford bumper you had to tighten turnbuckles till the bumper touched truck to get any resemblance of being tight. This style of mount is the only way to go for a heavy and especially a tall camper. It?s now tied to the frame and not mounted to sheet metal. It feels much more secure.

02/04

Add air bag compressor and in dash controls to truck. After airing down to level truck last winter- re airing rear air bags in major storm convinced to put on in dash controls. Added kit with 2-gal air tank. This project took 2 weekends. It?s a 2 hr bolt in but I did a custom fab'd mount for tank and compressor (with the help of a good friend) up between walls of bed. Cut dash to install switches and rout air intake behind seat.

02/04

Add "special temporary" CB Antenna mount I was using a magnetic antenna on truck that was chewing up the paint. Decided to finally fix so I could use radio with camper on or off.

06/04

Cut dinette blinds scalloped foo-foo valances to minimum. They arched down toward the corners-someone was real proud when they designed these and they kind of interfered with the viewing area out the window. Looks a lot cleaner- you can see modified valance in cushion pics. I had already cut the one over the bed, was always banging my head on it. Pic of modified valance on dinette (next) page.

10/04

Built a LARGE back cushion for dinette. Now you can lean back comfortably-almost recline. Biggest gripes with truck campers is no place to sit very long comfortably. It?s a separate cushion so we can move it. I've noted on some new campers you can actually get recliners.

11/04

Change light over sink to Florescent

12/04

Built camper stands Camper is real unsteady on just the jacks. I didn't trust it at all plus can?t be good for the structure. These camper stands take most of the weight when parked in the drive.

12/04

Add Pur water filter to kitchen. Simple unit that screws to faucet. Seems like most places the water isn't that great. We carried a lot of bottled water

02/05

Add switches to power supply for Atwood jacks The only way to turn them off was to shut down whole camper, Plus I didn't know how the jacks were wired or where the fuses were.

04/05

Picked up a small 50cc step thru scooter add Hidden Hitch front receiver & built rack.

05/05

The dreaded Dometic refrigerator "check light" syndrome.
Finally got tired of refer check light -every time you turn around it'd be on. Forums clued me to the "Dino" control board replacement. Worth the money-.

07/05

Replaced old AC/DC VCR combo tube TV

11/05

Added a rear awning to camper. Keeps the water out in the rain, offers a bit of shade for back of camper.

12/05

Added a small accumulator after water pump. WOW HIGHLY recommend this

02/06

New door glass Replace opaque glass in rear door.

03/06

Install Wave 3 heater in camper. Replace furnace that used way too much power.

03/06

Installed an additional drawer & modified seat box for more cabinet space.

06/06

Reading lights, updated-added Littllites 18" flexible gooseneck reading lights.

09/06

Solar Panel
We bit the bullet and added a solar panel.

12/06

Replaced camper batteries-yes a maintenance item. Now have 2 group 29 batteries-kinda hard to find. My solar controller is actually reaching float stage, never did on old batteries-and max holding was 12.2volts, for about 2 hours. Yup, time to replace.
I also rewired entire system. When I added second batt previously (06/01) I just ran + to batt selector switch and - to common ground. Though it worked, batteries probably never really equalized (plus stock batt was a 27). Since solar made selector functionless I decided to rewire for true Parallel, tying both the batteries together, + to +, - to -. Camper & solar each now grab pos. from batt 1, neg. from batt 2.

12/06

Install Torklift superhitch We picked a boat so needed an extended receiver, plus now I can tow.

02/07

Adding some adjustability to our scissor steps for uneven ground, plus be able to raise when camper is way off the ground and steps don't reach.

05/07

Pick up a portable tote along auxiliary holding tank, added a mounting bracket.

04/08

Dual Rear Wheel Conversion with Arrowcraft kit.

05/08

Water filter Relocate added exterior filter, new mount.

06/08

Add entrance light by the door, 12V receptacle, add switch to bathroom light.

09/08

Saved by Valley Ford, mechanical breakdown on road almost ruined our vacation but for the efforts of the folks at Valley Ford In Hanford CA.

01/09

Install weather proof antenna connection box When installing new DTV box discovered I had no antenna, replace problematic roof coax connection.

01/09

Installed insulation, on 'tin' boxes, sealed wall penetrations, generally try to make more cold weather tight. (15 pics)

01/09

Increase slide step storage While doing the Insulation I had to access area in slide step box. Hey I could move that lil divider....easy 10 min job (lil heavy on pictures)

02/09

Add refrigerator relay controlled by truck to turn refrigerator on/off while on the road.

02/09

Wire in a constant duty solenoid for new 12V charge line.

03/09

Rubber tires for portable tote along waste tank.

03/09

Modified wire rack for dvd storage to hang on wall at foot of bed.

08/09

Upgrade Carpet Replace multiple throws on linoleum with a single piece of indoor/outdoor

08/09

Upgrade Converter Replace Magnetek 6345 converter/charger with Progressive Dynamics PD4645 3 stage converter.

08/09

Added a "deck lid" water tank access port. Cut a hole in our water tank and add the screw in clear lid. For cleaning, just looking at the inside but mostly for refilling the tanks in those faraway lands

09/09

Replaced stove vent hood fan motor with CPU muffin fan/motor assy. quiet

10/09

Replaced Slide out topper fabric Margaret & I replaced our delaminating slide topper fabric in bout 30 minuets

10/09

Repair roof seams with sealing tape Cover front edge seam and redo rear seam.

10/09

Paint rear door window frame. Use spray paint for plastic to freshen up yellowing plastic window frame. There's no real information here, just spray painting. The ONLY reason I added to this page is for some (like me) it just may not have occurred to simply paint the offending piece(s) of plastic....

12/09

Added a drawer utilizing unused space under slide & above generator box.

12/09

Redesign the Pantry Remove the wire rack replace w/3 drawers and a shelf

01/10

Replace fridge heater Refer 110v heater element, also pics of Dometic recall fix

01/10

Remove radio to utilize cabinet though I may reinstall elsewhere, I'm reclaiming the 2/3 of cabinet space.

01/10

add 110v receptacle opposite dinette for elect. heater

01/10

hardwire inverter add split 110v receptacle from inverter/shore w remote switch

01/10

add a shelf removable & rotatable, outside by the door, to sit stuff on going in or out of the camper

02/10

Change rod in closet replaced slotted metal affair with round rod. Quickie project.

02/10

Changing to led bulbs in progress....switching all bulbs to led.

02/10

Add spacers to flip step Shorten step out distance to scissor steps.

03/10

Add 110v receptacle by dinette table & change source plug to GFI.

03/10

Reinstall radio removed 01/10 to under cabinet

04/10

Build new dinette light box to house both new LEDs & existing florescent.

04/10

Build new over sink light box to house new LEDs and move bulbs apart.

04/10

Build fire extinguisher cabinet to reinstall removed fire ext. from 12/09 drawer project. Also rebuilt entrance light as box

04/10

Add switch for bathroom light replace rocker switch that replaced factory switch that was on wrong side of door

04/10

Simple table leg fix to stop the table from becoming loose and wobbling from kicking the leg

02/11

Replace accumulator update; previously installed 12/05 accum. wouldn?t hold air

Jan-March 2011

Just returned from 1st trip back out in 'new'camper mid-April, just good. A after a lot of debating decided to post on my roof rebuild. On a trip home between Christmas & New Year?s 2011, I managed to run into a bridge- broken into 2 pages-
Bridge.htmThe accident and the carnage
Bridgeb.htmThe repairs replacements & upgrades.

04/11

Replace sewage dump valves one was sticking,11 years old

06/11

Water heater pilot igniter kept sending spark after pilot lit. Accidentally fixed 0$

08/11

Add exterior fans & baffle to refrigerator aid in heat extraction/ cooling (incomplete very long, lot of pics)

08/11

Install interior fans to refrigerator

11/11

Torklift Fastgun tiedowns replaced chain & turnbuckle tiedowns
plasti-coat handles & tether locks

11/11

Install 'Ping tanks' Simple reservoirs to increase air volume to soften air bag ride

11/11

New closet mirror replace broken mirror, some trim work

11/11

Cut off Valance foofoo scallop, shorten so bed cabinet doors will open more

04/12

Add a control cable to close & lock stove vent door from inside. mod motor to 2 speed

09/12

Replace bath cabinet

02/13

Fix our failing slideout wall, added suppport. Also tied front jacks together.

02/13

Replace broken cabover window glass

02/13

Add headboard well webbing to lean against so not leaning against window sitting up in bed

03/13

Replaced camper batteries-maintenance item. Unfortuanlety, with the solar I was hoping for longer use before replacment- but one of the batteries dumped a cell. The other was fine but cant justify mixing in new w/6+ yr old battery. Only reason i noticed, putting some stuff back in camper- solar controller was pumping 6amps into batteries that were showing 13.7 volts (while charging). At first I assumed the controller was cycling-but 3rd day not having reached float still pumping 6amps (camper not being used) realized there was a problem. Checking battery I opened the door and almost burnt my sinuses out-. WOW battery boiling away. Shut off everthing-battery was hot-showed 13.7. By the time I got it out 5 minuets later and on the ground was down to 10.5 and dropping. So I have new batteries. Dumped 2 cells-not holding charge -solar controller only saw battery needed charging. Everthing working now but im going to research on a way to not have this happen again. Batteries fail-somehow controller should figure it out instead of charging till battery melts down? TO be updated.

03/13

Satellite dish Only recently became directv satellite user, only more recently became aware I could access from camper. Picked up a small dish that Im modifying. Later might convert to HD. Not so much camper related except we rarely get TV since the over the air digital switch. In progress..34 pictures.

04/13

Add front jack leg stabilizer armsHome made wobble stoppers for lack of better description. Also repurposed some old alum. jack stands. Mostly for off loaded camping but to assit and support the way to wobbly front jacks when raiseing and lowereing.

---

We really like our camper- mods mostly are things that make it more comfortable for us. So it?s your camper-DO-IT.

Plans for the future-


• a sliding battery tray to make it easier to check batteries/water.
  
• I'm sure something will come up.

  
  

  Comments/question/suggestions: ... contact Mark:
  AnEv942aol.com
  
  
  

LINKS All (but my other pages) links will take you outside of our site-bookmark if you'd like to come back

If you've been here before you'll note the list is short. I've come across some great personal Camper project/mod/repair pages, and would list them here, unfortunately folks give up/ move on or decided there not worth keeping and the info (and page) no longer exist, Keeping a links page current can be difficult, I've heard that most personal pages/web sites have a life span of a few months. A list of dead links is frustrating so I'm not adding any new ones. The WWW is amazing, how much info is out there is just mind boggling, however it?s just not easy at times to find it. So if you?re looking for something specific, try different search engines, TRY the forums.....

My other pages


Our F250 pickup Basically a relisting of the modifications specifically made to our truck. Most because of the camper.
Axial AX10 Scorpion One of my other hobbies, radio control rock crawler. built a jeep body for it to resemble our 82 CJ7
My 04 Ranger, Current commuter, retired the F250 truck to camp & work stuff instead of daily driver (pages no longer linked here)
      well now I?m retired so the commuter has been sold..I get to drive my Truck!
Our '82 Jeep CJ 7 page
San Luis Obispo County Four Wheel Drive Club aka SLO 4-Wheelers 4WD club were a member of
Champion Blower & Forge Co. My early cast iron hand powered Post Drill-

Note-page on my 'ol drill is my 1st & last page created with MS publisher...give it a moment to load-sorry

Rework machine tool foot pedal Another fun project, added fuse, pilot light and higher rated switch to foot pedal. Ended up rewiring drill press and adding switched wall outlet.


My other interests

Firestik.com CB (Citizen Band) radio related-specifically tech info pages-just a wealth of good simple information & products.
Central Coast Bass Fishing.com Local bass fishing info. Some cool products/info on local lakes. .

Forums-you name it there?s a lot of other folks exchanging info about it (RV forums have sections that are general and sections that are specific to Rv type).


THE RV forum!
Trailer Life another link to forum
projects page listing of threads to project specific topics on the RV.net forum
Ford Powerstroke Diesel Forum Ford truck forum
RCCrawler.com Yup a forum for everything, this is dedicated to radio control Rock crawling rigs/scalers-too much fun
CCBF Bass fishing forum Central Coast lakes
OWWM.org Old Wood Working Machines forum. Drill presses to table saws & more (part of Vintage Machinery.org)
Vintage Machinery.org Great resource curious about old wood/metal working machines!

Organizations

North American Truck Camper Owners Association, Check em out.

Online mags/info

Truck Camper Magazineon line mag-pretty cool

A few Good home Camper modification pages (I know what I said-but if you like ill add yours here...)

NETBOYs project page, Lots of cool tricks, ideas & mods.
      Early on when I was seeking info it was Netboys site that motivated me to start this one. I've incorporated a few of his ideas over the years
Luv2skyski's camper project page,Great personal site, Some good stuff
Nice home built battery slide tray
pics of refer board install (dino board replacement), storage ideas & more.
The 12Volt side of life excellent reading-good info on yer basics
Jerry & Cynthia?s. This site is great, though in a TT, lots of good info and mods. Absolutely worth a visit! Direct link to their mods page, but look around. Very enjoyable place to visit.

For the REAL 'Do It Yourselfers" Fun stuff

Glen L RV plans to build your own camper! Shells/trailers & Truck campers & more, lots of choices
Tear drop trailer plans-Just very cool...Tear drop.net
RapidTables.com - Engineering Resourcesgreat collection of online coversion tabels
Carbide Depot good collection of common charts & tables-drill size, tap size, decimal equiv, thread charts etc.

NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION,

PART 571--FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS Fun stuff, well informative
Looking for actual lighting requirements/placement on a trailer I rebuilt I found couple of simple charts that made it very clear, as to what type & location of lights and when required. Good charts with location pics, one for trailers and one for vehicles, Multipurpose (us) trucks & buses. Also listed are links to Federal FHTSA standards, for everything,
TRAILERS Simple lighting chart . Federal Lighting Equipment Location Requirements Table. Pretty clear, click on the picture numbers and the applicable requirement will show at top of page..
TRUCKS, BUSES, MPVs: Federal Lighting Equipment Location Requirements. Table Pretty clear, click on the picture numbers and the applicable requirement will show at top of page..

if you really want to know...
NHTSA 571.108 Large pdf- this is the standard that spells it out- everything about vehicle lighting-all requirements relating to lamps, reflective devices & equipment. Note tables and charts specific to location and type of lights are document pages 370-373 & 418-426 (pages 72-75 &120-128 of the pdf file).
572.101 thru 571.500. This page lists ALL standards, links to either text or pdf files of 572.101 thru 571.500 of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Rear view mirrors to fuel system - Transmission Shift Lever Sequence to brake pedals- these define what you drive. amazing

Other things that are actually important, the Charters of Freedom,

"When the last dutiful & humble petition from Congress received no other Answer than declaring us Rebels, and out of the King?s protection, I from that Moment look?d forward to a Revolution & Independence, as the only means of Salvation; and will risque the last Penny of my Fortune, & the last Drop of my Blood upon the Issue."
George Mason, October 2, 1778
The Declaration of Independence
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
Full Transcript

The Constitution of the United States
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
Full Transcript

The Bill of Rights
THE Conventions of a number of the States, having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best ensure the beneficent ends of its institution.
Full Transcript

   

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