What clever modifications or upgrades have you made to your caravan?

[Malky]

From the top - it is now nigh impossible to get a car radio so that a fitted unit can be replaced. As many cars - especially EV - have changed to an' Infotainment' unit (how I hate that name!) that is functionally part of the vehicle computer system and includes a radio (albeit FM and DAB only) the market for car radios has all but disappeared.
In our last two caravans (2 berth) we have only fitted the carpet between the front seats. For the remainder of the floor we have put down (pre-used) dark grey rubber-backed matting that you often walk onto when you enter an office block or (some) shops. It is usually branded Initial, and we got ours from an outfit on line called Splendid Pets - they call them 'Dirt Trapper' mats. The good bit is that they can be washed in a machine, they are warm under your feet, easily vacced, and you don't have to worry about muck on the carpet.
Most vans have a plate that houses a 12V 'cigarette lighter' socket with a TV aerial socket in one corner. I either replace the socket with a screw-on F-type (as used on satellite kit) or replace the complete plate so that it has two sockets. The F-type on the plate is actually a double ended socket held in by a spring washer and nut which means whichever route is chosen dis and re connection is simple and quick. The benefit is that F-types give better and more secure connection and will better withstand free cable tension between the socket and TV. Notice that most modern vans now use aerial amps that have native F-type sockets for the same reason. The double socket also gives the option of installing another external connection where a pillar signal or a satellite dish can be directly fed in to the TV leaving the fitted aerial amp to be used for radio - if you have one.
Finally our latest caravan does not have a radio but comes with a Bluetooth connected amplified speaker so that you can play music etc through it from your phone/tablet/laptop. This gives you the option of either feeding the speaker unit by cable with headphone audio from the TV socket (if it has one) bringing the source nearer the listener, or by fitting a low latency* Bluetooth transmitter to the TV. If the speaker does not have a cable connection and you prefer that method just get a speaker that does have a cable socket. I got one (Anker) from a Cash Converters for £10 and it works a treat.
*Low latency means such as Bluetooth V5 which has almost no delay on the audio and you thus gives almost zero transfer delay such that the sound and picture stay in sync. Cable connection does not suffer latency.

WOW, you are an avid tinkerer, i don't see anything on the WIFI, is this something you have done or intend to do or just stay off it?

 

[Malky]

Just changed the gas bottles to Flogas Gaslights 5kg because they are lightweight .

Did you manage to get Flogas to exchange your cylinders or just get new contracts, What sort of initial cost were involved?

 

[Malky]

I changed the Dometic toilet to a Thetford. Too many problems with the Dometic and spares prices are though the roof. Very pleased with the outcome.

Was that a magor change or just a we bit cosmetic?

 

[GUMPY]

Did you manage to get Flogas to exchange your cylinders or just get new contracts, What sort of initial cost were involved?

I bought cylinders from eBay to save the contract cost. Sold my calor cylinders the same way.

 

[Malky]

How much weight difference is there between an alloy and the OEM steel wheel? Why go for an alloy?

If it’s a non OEM alloy buy a quality make as some aftermarket ones may not be strong enough to take the impacts from potholes. Caravan suspension isn’t as forgiving as a cars suspension.

I am talking about picking up a matching alloy wheel already fitted to caravan. As previously stated i am going to weigh the steel and my own alloy and note the difference, if it significant enough to do then i will, if minimal, not worth it.

 

[Malky]

I bought cylinders from eBay to save the contract cost. Sold my calor cylinders the same way.

Yup, i do the same, i sometimes try and but them with gas in the past.

 

[Steve1962]

It would be easier to ask me what I've broken on the caravan.......🤣🤣🤣

Captain Chaos.

 

[Dustydog]

• Upgrading the radio to DAB or Bluetooth. No, but do use hot spot streaming via I phone to smart tv
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• Adding Wi‑Fi or a 4G/5G system. No but use Sky HD + with portable dish
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• Improving taps, pumps, or plumbing changed all taps and upgraded on board pump
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• Carpet or flooring upgrades Original in the loft. Every three years or so buy top grade remnants and make luxury fitted carpets.
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• Extra USB or 12V sockets. Added own twin satellite input socket on exterior and wired to point near Sky box and TV.
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• Lighting changes (LED strips, dimmers, spotlights)
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• Storage mods, shelving, hooks, organisers. Various hooks added
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• Heating or ventilation tweaks
• Security improvements
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• Any DIY fixes you’re proud of Triggers Broom! Must have fixed every appliance on board, from failed oven grill, water heater, fridge collapsed door mounts, broken timbers, sky lights x2.Heki blinds galore. NB. All items involving gas safety checked after fix by a qualified gas engineer!

 

[Martin_E]

Year's ago I changed wife, best thing I've ever changed 👍

I have been looking for years, but not found anyone that I could replace her with, so she can’t be to bad

 

[Woodentop]

One other tip. If, like Bailey, your manufacturer uses an oval rail sitting in side cups in the wardrobe, zip the rail into the cup using a couple of lengthy but tough tie-wraps. Clothes stay in situ no matter how many 'sleeping policemen' you go over! Aldi/Lidl often do packs of mix size ties at very reasonable prices. IMO you can never have enough tie-wraps with you!
Per the comment about wi-fi, I am on GiffGaff which at the moment is doing 70GB with unlimited calls and texts as a bundle for £10/month. Won't get many films to see but if you want to watch say foreign news bulletins that are present in the Freeview 251-289 range (Internet sourced) it would last you quite well.

 

[otherclive]

A good suggestion from Woodentop to keep your hanging clothes in place. Even if your rail is fixed you can use foam pipe insulation over the rail to push the clothes hangars together and reduce the likelihood of them falling off.

 

[toad a caravan]

I've got a 92 Abbey,I haven't done a lot of modifications or upgrades,mostly I've carried out preventative maintenance and aesthetics,I have however fitted cooling fans for the fridge, fitted fuses for external road lights, fitted ,a radio, replaced the missing spare wheel carrier in the front lockers,updated the gas bottle carries,installed a small circular mains light on ceiling (replaced halogen bulb with two LED bulbs using a second lamp holder) .