ouR escaPOD mods

The Air Safe is definitely not a weight control hitch, i am now thinking of using a physical sway bar rather than the electronic control, just too many things that can go wrong and much more expensive and there is a built in sway arm. Clearly they are telling me something if its part of the system. Thank goodness its on the passenger side because there wouldn't be anywhere to install the link on the A frame since the spare tire is there. Also, i really don't want to put that tire under and behind because it will just add to the sway.

Time for another modification. I was not satisfied with the battery lock-down brackets I had made. They were clumsy and I could not get the battery lids off to check water level without a lot of work and risk of scratching the diamond plate. So, I got to thinking and came up with Battery Lock Version 2.

I used flat strap steel for the ends and square tube steel for the crossbar. After bending the flat steel, I measured and cut the square bar to the length I needed. Then the hard work began. I used a cold chisel to start folding the top and bottom sides of the crossbar at both ends and used a 20 lb sledge hammer to flatten the ends. I used some JB Weld to fill the gaps and drilled holes for the locks. A coat of paint and the crossbar was ready. The flat steel got slots cut by drilling a series of holes and then drilling, grinding, and filing them out until they were long and wide enough for the flattened ends of the crossbar to fit. They got a coat of paint. I attached the flat straps to the cross-piece to which the sewer hose container had been attached using stainless steel bolts, washers, and nylock nuts. Since the batteries would need to be removed for someone to get to the heads of the bolts, they would not be easy to remove since the blots would spin if someone tried removing them. The crossbar slides in and the padlocks complete the installation of this improved version of my battery locking system.

The total cost was not much. I could have used an anvil to help with flattening the square stock, but for the tools I had available, I think it looks pretty good.

Early on, I wanted a way to carry the ladder I had bought. While what I did worked, it also took up precious space in the basement storage. Another thing that was a peeve was the sewer hose tube. My last modification to mount it on the Trailer Tray did not work out as it interfered with the propane tank cover. I could not take the cover off unless I took the tube off. I decided to address both of these at the same time.

I took the tube I had previously made for the ladder out. Since it already had some perforations, I decided to repurpose it as the sewer hose tube. I purchased a new one for the ladder. Since it would not be inside, I needed to address security. I have not felt the need to lock up the sewer hose. I don't know of too many people who would want to steal a used sewer hose. The ladder was a different matter. I purchased 4 post caps. Two of these were cemented on. The other two became removable caps for access to the hose or ladder. The hose got an additional tray to make it easier to get it out or stow it.

Now for some pictures to show the finished products:

Sewer hose cover and back end of ladder tube:


Sewer Hose Tray extended:


Ladder in tube:


Ladder tube locked:


The new ladder tube is slightly longer than the old tube. This is because I glued a 1" block of PVC molding on the back side to keep the ladder from hitting the cap during movement and glued a block of PVC molding in the cover to keep the ladder from bouncing directly against the locking cover. The hardware is attached to the tubes with pop-rivets and backing plates. The brackets were made from aluminum stock. I went with a light 1/16" stock for the sewer hose but after breaking a piece, changed to a 1/8" piece for the ladder. It is attached to the frame with #14 self-tapping screws but I added lock washers to make sure they stay tight.

Originally posted by StephenH I took the tube I had previously made for the ladder out. Since it already had some perforations, I decided to repurpose it as the sewer hose tube. I purchased a new one for the ladder. Since it would not be inside, I needed to address security. I have not felt the need to lock up the sewer hose. I don't know of too many people who would want to steal a used sewer hose. The ladder was a different matter. I purchased 4 post caps. Two of these were cemented on. The other two became removable caps for access to the hose or ladder. The hose got an additional tray to make it easier to get it out or stow it. Now for some pictures to show the finished products: Sewer hose cover and back end of ladder tube: Sewer Hose Tray extended: Ladder in tube: Ladder tube locked:

Time to start writing up the latest in my series of escaPOD mods.

I never did care for the legs on the table. I also really did not like the multiple thin cushions that were supposed to be used for sleeping. So, the latest mod takes care of these issues.

First, the table. I ordered two legs and four table/floor hubs from Camping World as this was the best option for price. I removed the mechanism from the table and mounted two of the hubs to the table with #12x3/4" screws. I did not want to use ones that long, but could not find any shorter. It worked out and they did not penetrate the top. I initially mounted them to be roughly at the ends of the previous mechanism, but found that it would not leave enough foot room at the ends. I moved them inward about four inches. After I was happy with that, I set the posts in and with the floor hubs loose, moved the table to where it looked like it should be. Then I worked on fastening the floor hubs with #12x3/4" screws.







That finishes the table modifications. Tomorrow, I'll write about the cushions.

Edit: There were multiple reasons for using the brackets: have the table low enough to allow the slide to move over the top of it and have the table top the same height as the ottomans. This also meant that with the slide in retracted, I would not have to put the table top on the cushion and strap it down. It will be much better when we travel not to have the table in the way when we stop to fix something to eat. We will have full use of the seat, even with the slide retracted.

Also, I did have to move the one ottoman closest to the bed to bring it in so that the supports would work. Originally, the space was about two inches too wide.