Cheap and Quick Improvements to Make My RV Dash Better for only $35
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- Опубликовано: 6 сен 2024
- While I still love my 2001 Beaver Patriot Thunder luxury RV, I have grown tired of some lack of modern and useful dash functionality when I am driving it. I thought I'd do a few quick upgrades before heading to a meeting in California and thought I'd share my thought process and what I did. Sorry if the vidoe seems rushed, I was in fact rushing.
Thanks for watching!
cup holder/organizer: amzn.to/3LVlb4W
USB outlet: amzn.to/40vuDAg
12vdc outlet: amzn.to/3TKjxF2
magnetic latches: amzn.to/3zbz0oq
You could add USB and 12v chargers in the coin slots to give it more functionality. Looks great! A dab of black paint will mask the green led.
This was pure genius. The best part of having an RV tech that does RUclips vids is being able to learn great tricks for mods and how to make them work. Making these is a lot harder then it looks in the final vid, so the effort you put into them is greatly appreciated. Thanks James!!
When my T210N acquired Garmin 430 & 530s I had a dream in which there was a fire due to all the electrical mods prior to my purchase. 100 pounds of wire was dispatched with my new avionics installation - 100 pounds with a useful load of 1600 pounds.
I love your RV. I think that your RV is the best. When you are ready to sell your RV, it will deserve a good price, because all of the upgrades you've done to the RV and it is a “James” RV!!!!
People will be fighting over it!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Just a tip from a fellow Garmin user: When taking it off the mount (4:10), push the button on the bottom rear of the unit, and the part that goes on the ball will stay behind, along with the power cord. This will not only leave the power cord attached to the mount instead of dangling from the unit, it will prevent wearing out the ball mount socket.
Great video as always, Sir!
Turn the dash door & slider to a 12v drink cooler.
Nothing like a cold beverage while driving down the road.
Non alcoholic of course!
MOAR Power! In the right places, of course!
The screw heads that come down to catch the magnet are genius! 🤩
James, I truly appreciate your tips and tricks. I have added magnets to a filing cabinet drawer that would always open and aggravate me to no end. Thanks pal.
Yeah let's get this Beaver perfect😅😅😅
A better Beaver is always a good thing.
@@1hasbeen531 you can't beat a beaver
I have a classic RV. 1990 safari Serengeti 34 foot. Aluminum framed body with riveted sheet metal walls and painted exterior.
Still super solid and straight compared to the wood junk their building today.
Loved the blooper , know what that's like put things down and they disappear .
Little customizations make a huge difference!
Agreed!
That’s awesome and very clever. This was a fun video and I love watching you work on your rig. Always so clever. I too need to do something because I’m also a Polar Pop XL guy and my ‘07 Navigator has similar plastic slideout cup holders that are too small plus they are sort of in an inconvenient spot so there kind of useless for me. My wood console also has two cup cutouts but they too are too small. If I had your console configuration, the only change that I would have considered would have been to place the plastic cup holder unit all the way to the right of the drawer therefore leaving room on the left side for my hamburger and fries or other fast food stuff. Ha! Great video and take care!
I have 2 of those plastic organizer/ cup holders. A larger one that sits in my truck passenger seat, and smaller one sits on my SUV floor. An inexpensive solution that works great.
Damn, that screw head catch was genius!
Great idea! I think if I was doing it I would bias the cup holder towards the driver.
I'm not completely OCD but I doubt I could live with it off center, and the co pilot uses it too.
A trick a general contractor buddy showed me years ago: attach the cap of your Sharpie to a lanyard to hang around your neck- never rummage for one again.
The magnet/screw-head latch is ingenious, I have a similar sliding drawer with a door for my small printer/scanner at my office setup at home, it sliding around has been driving me bonkers, and such an easy solution never came to my mind, thank you for the inspiration! Even me with my clumsy hands will be able to put one together for a few bucks. As my dad always says: Experience cannot be inherited
Hope it works for you!
My Monaco has a drawer that has two cup holders from the factory the problem I had was the same plastic latches and I put in the magnetic and it works a lot better
I'm not exaggerating when I say you're my hero. 😂
I agree with you about those plastic catches. They are both fragile and expensive so I have been using Rare Earth magnets for quite a while now. In Canada we have Princess Auto (like Harbor Freight) and for $15.00 you can get 48 magnets. A forstner bit and some epoxy and a screw ground down so all you have is the head with a little point to use as a marking punch and you are in business! Keep up the great content!
Happy your making to your liking, after 20 years makes no difference on value just enjoy it.
Yes, you’ve already made spend money on mine! I want to redo the center console.. it was made by the previous owner so I am making a new one.. I am adding the cubbyhole phone charger. Very funny, i fly a corporate jet and engineers were not that interested in cup holders. So I have one of those plastic ones right behind the center console. Works fantastic! Thank you for all of your videos
Cupholders are so necessary!
It’s interesting to see the slight differences between your Patriot and my Marquis. They are the same year. My slide out switch is in the location you moved your switch too. I have a slide out drawer with built in cup holders in the center console. On top it has a compartment with a roll top cover like an old desk. Looks like the dash is flipped with stereo and hvac controls. I get lots of compliments on my coach and most people don’t believe it’s age when they find out that it’s a 2001.
You should do a side by side comparison between the Patriot and the Marquis. I’m not to far away if you should be interested.
Watching your mind and hands work is what makes your videos great.
Thanks! :)
I could see an awesome 3d printed part would be awesome for the latching thing. You could also get a 3d printed cup holder
Thanks for the Ideas James, I always enjoy your bloopers at the end of the videos, safe travels my friend 😊
As you spend time in each Rig this thought comes to mind for switches and Gauges. " What were they thinking?"...
I low light added to the dash lights in your drawer would be a nice add. Great work :)
Pure genius on the way you can design and fabricate things in your head and make them come out so well. Awesome job!
Beautiful rig…old cup holders got to go, I know you’ll figure something else to plug the holes. Great updates.
A mobile RV technician came out to me because my refrigerator died. So while on the phone he told me what residential refrigerator to order, which I did . On the morning the new refrigerator arrived, I signed for it, and maybe 15 minutes later the Technician arrived . The first time he went into my Coach , his comment was oh you have a side by side . So I’m stuck with a smaller one then what could have gone in there . I’m not happy at all, we were on top of a mountain for a three month vacation so we had to have a refrigerator . We have a 2000 Beaver Patriot Ticonderoga, and I hate what he left us with, it’s a disaster . He also took all my wood trim around my old one and he kept all my wood trim . If we brought our Beaver there would there be someone willing to help us put in a full size refrigerator so there’s not a big hole on both side or another RV refrigerator and help us trim the refrigerator out nice so it looks like a Beaver is supposed to ? This happened in North Carolina, and we are home now in Florida, so what he did is a done deal .
Hook and Loop or Velcro would have been my choice. LOVE YOUR CHANNEL, THANK YOU!
Nice Beaver mods & motorhome! Makes me feel kinda guilty 😐for my 80's era bumper sticker which read, "Save A Tree, Eat A Beaver". 🤔...🤣🤣🤣 ....🙄
I mean, it would be pretty funny on here
You could use black door edge trim around the bottom of the plastic cup holder to clean the edges up.
I learn so much by watching your videos James. Buying an RV= speak with James and book an inspection.
Learning what to avoid = watch your videos
I trust you more than anyone else in the industry. I’m definitely going to buy a low mileage, excellent condition RV and preferably a Newell, Beaver or if I can find the right one it’s going to be a Country Coach 😊 I do want 1 1/2 baths or even 2 full bathrooms with the potential for two bedrooms and a small office. I love to cook so the kitchen both inside and out needs to have potential and space. I’m going to need your help James but I’m sure we’ll have some fun doing this whilst I learn the basics for common repairs and maintenance from the best in America. That’s you James 😉!
Keep up the good work and stay safe please ☺️✈️💫
Great improvement you v CNN oilfield have used an angled shim so that you get a magnetic surface to surface contact instead of a point contact.
ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL BUS‼️‼️ MOST IMPORTANT MAINTENANCE YOU CAN DO IS CHANGE THE ENGINE OIL FREQUENTLY, TRANSMISSION FLUIDS AND FILTERS ARE A MUST DO‼️‼️ LOVE YOUR BUS‼️‼️👍👍 HAVE FUN‼️‼️ Vinny 🇺🇸
I really like to see you making these small but ingenious upgrades to your RV. Thank you for all your video's...
Loved your video. We bought a 2006 Dynasty 42' tag axel 3 years ago and have driven it about 22k miles. We love it. The coach did sit in storage for a couple of years before we bought it so we knew it would need some work but in general it's been a fantastic experience for our first RV. Today I was on RUclips looking at newer coaches to upgrade to and you have really made me rethink that idea. The only addition I would love is a half bath, but for the quality of new coaches and the price point it makes me think I should just hang on to this one as long as we can. Thanks so much for the insightful video!
Very good video.
This is one good thing about owning a 20+ year old coach.... UPGRADES.❤
Awesome. Thinking outside the box. Nice job James. Your old school. Great work ethic.
Very cleaver and solves the issue for your new cup holder.
Beautiful work James! I’m buying the magnets. Been trying to figure how to hold bathroom sliding door. They will be perfect. Might buy the console piece too. Out cup holders suck too!
Great upgrades!!!!
What an ingenious project! You can never have enough cupholders and the production rigs have far worse solutions.
AWESOME RV🥰 You Also Have a SECRET 🤫HIDEING PLACE COMPARMENT Underneath NICE‼️🤫👏🏼🥰
Thank you 🤗
Definitely thinking outside the box! Nice!
I'll say, Kudos to a good wash ! @:32 - I mean, who doesn't like a clean Beaver?! It sparkles! Good QoL (Quality of Life) updates to the dash area too. Enough can't be said for the 'KISS' principle. We've got an older rig too - a 2002 Holiday Rambler Scepter w/ 56k on it, and the Speedometer gauge is showing a bit of hazing on the glass. Whilst it's not obtrusive, I'll want to update or change it out. Have you a video on changing gauges and what to look out for?
I do enjoy videos on your coach!
My son told me about your channel and I really like it. I have subscribed!
Love your videos. You are the best by far IMO. But honestly this solution is a bit disrespectful to the Beaver family in terms of quality. No offense. However, it is a very practical solution!
We have a mint condition 1999 Marquis that actually exceeds the condition of your coach. The downside of having such a beautiful coach, a classic collectors item IMO, is making changes. How do you retain the insane pride in manufacturing the was coming out of the Beaver plant before Monaco screwed with things around 2002-2003. Having an original Beaver built, Beaver, can be a big responsibility! Luckily we own a sawmill and custom furniture business so we can match the level of craftsmanship.
James, have you done any work with a local cabinet maker to do mods to a factory coach? I've seen both some very good...and very bad...design and woodworking skills.
Also - you absolutely NEED a dash camera. We've had great luck with our Nextbase 522GW after going through several other models - even in the AZ sun.
Remember, it's better to "have it and not need it, than to need it, and not have it".
Thank you for another great video! Finished replacing the factory the 12 volt storage compartment lights on a 2017 Fleetwood Pace Arrow 33D with the Amazon strip lights from your previous video. They look awesome and the lighting is such a difference! Looking to add some USB outlets and this helps! Remember, I am just here for the outtakes - keep them coming!
Great video James.....But I'll just bet you still don't have CUP HOLDERS by the bedside. LOL.😂😂😂😂
You are correct. It's on the list
Nice mods James.
Great, I love seeing you upgrade your RV. Looks terrific and ergonomic. Happy trails!
Really enjoyed this video. As always you’ve done a great job giving us ideas and showing us ways to think outside the box. Keep up the great job. Thanks
Thanks for watching
Thanks for the tips !! I love this RV.
super clever. genius and experience inspired.
On the Wago’s and small wire I just make the striped wire longer and fold them over several times.
Just an FYI but being a truck driver I’ve had trouble keeping the phone mounts and GPS mounts on the dash. I take a little clear RTV silicone and smear it on the suction base and glue it down. Once it dries the mount will stay put.
U give me hope for buying a older motorhome
I need to build some kind of folding console for my sprinter based rv. some place for my snacks. Cheers
I like the 12volt outlet and usb. Gives me some ideas for my 06’ Monterey. My slide switch is in the passenger side overhead cabinet.
Cup holders in old RVs is certainly a problem. Did nobody drink on the road 20+ years ago? lol Our problem on the center console was the opposite with cupholders. Our wooden cupholders are nearly mini-bucket size, but very shallow, so you hit the brakes or gas a little, drink goes flying. We did something similar, in that we bought hanging already manf. cupholders, cut off the hanger part, and thus created inserts that go halfway up and hold them snug.
These kind of issues are fun, like you said, think out of the box on, but maybe if these companies coulda done a little IN THE BOX thinking in the first place, we wouldn't have to all be RV MacGyver's to just have a drink!
Great idea!
When I play with plastics I find using my propane torch cleans the cut edges. Just a quick wave over the cut produces a clean, shiny cut line. Cheers fro Winnipeg
Great Job, my 2003 Newmar Dutch Star has one small cup holder for the driver and you can only fit a small 16 oz water bottle in it. My previous gas RV had a nice center console on top of the dog house, so I could set all kinds of stuff on it (mainly food). So I haven't figured out how I'll be able to use my favorite YETI cup and have a place to set my forbidden on the road junk food on. I really have no place to set food in this thing while driving. I have two very shallow draws up front that I may end up blocking with some kind of wooden console. I know there are people who make these somewhere.
Well now you can make your own
A man needs to his limits.
That's stinkin' thinkin'!
LOL
They do make locking drawer slides if the magnets don't work out on the road. Should be able to find a set that matches the factory ones.
I have really found locking drawer guides to be less than reliable over time.
I love inexpensive mods!
Me too!
Great video loved all the options ! Did I tell you I purchased a 2007 Western Alpine coach 40' . The would is light Oak wood and yes it has AquaHot 400 unit.. Did you know the basement doors on with hydraulic as does the Generator. It only had 29,000 miles on it .
Put a piece of drawer liner in the bottom with your keys. It will cut down on drawer noise.
Or if you don't want something visible under your cache of trinkets, you can spray loctite foam on the back side to absorb noise. It removes that hollow sound of mold infected plastic (luxury car trick). Just don't put it in the path of the adjustable cup slides.
Yay! I love your beaver!
Great work. You can always swap out any 12V outlet or USB outlet for something having more outputs. Multiple USB, USB-C PD, voltage display (even with hi/lo voltage alarms you set), or anything else you want. Could also tuck a 300W Bestek pure sine inverter behind there and have a low-power 120V outlet for charging tool batteries, laptop, or hatever. Whatever fits and looks good to you. Maybe not needed if passenger is near other outlets.
Super magnets are so useful, I keep a supply of various sizes, on rear seat window frames inside my Prius. Perfect magnet holder, just like anything else made of steel.
Next will be the Bluefire for Motorhomes adapter. Unless you already have an engine monitor. Always thinking James. Love it.
Magnets for the win! Nice job!
The best!
Making the perfect coach perfected
Magnets would work Awsome on that bottom door to hold it from sliding.
Ok I said it to early. I didn’t watch it all before commenting but so cool we thought of the same idea!
I'd remove the driver cup holders and , put in a phone holder pocket in instead, or a plastic pocket with wireless phone charger.
James- I have really become interested in the older more classic motor homes. I have watched many inspections which is very useful. My question is how does a engine and chassis inspection and evaluation work? Is there a formal procedure?
Love your rig. Thanks for all you do.
Your coach is showroom condition, really nice. 🙂
I love all the changes but I hate the plastic cup holder I would have built my own cup holder on top of the existing slide out tray
Nice work!
Thanks!
Man I need you closer to WI
Neat trick, thanks for sharing … will remember for a similar project. WRT the finish issue you have, try a liquid furnish refinish like .
To REALLY snazz up the plastic cup holder base mod cuts, add some trim molding (like Onan part# 508-1155).
LOL Thats a lot more extra work
The products, tools and info are awesome. Thanks for sharing your progress with us.
I plan on going full time in a few years, different set up though, your videos really help for the build.
Happy travels and keep em coming....🍻✌
Very nice James.
What a manufacture would do is take the plastic thingy out and have someone make them for the vehicles to the size it is now. Be safe.
Awesome!
Thanks for watching!
That's a very functional design that you came up with great job sir. !!!
Nice job, I understand what you mean about keeping the elegance of the RV. If my hubby come to me with a bunch of cables on his hands; I will surely panic😅.
What can you tell me regarding the Monaco Vesta? Been looking at one.
Thanks for the great ideas
I think using plastic looks like a DIY type of fix. Should of used wood or metal, but it looks very functional.
I think so too, but also that's why I like that it hides away and is very reversible and took such little effort. I know me, and I would break a drawer or trip over it eventually.
Much improved. Why those factory cupholders were ever installed in the dash as they were is one of life's great mysteries... 😂
Excellent ingenuity and execution James!!
PS: Especially loved the outtakes from tgis video 😅😅😂
They are such trash too! Who wants to dump a 32oz soda on the carpet in their RV?
@@AZExpert Right??? Absolute trash... like so many of the cupspillers of the day
Great job James. Very clever. Enjoy watching all your videos
Similar to your Beaver, I have a 2001 Monaco with the same “dumb steering wheel”. Would you do a video on swapping the dumb wheel for a smart wheel. I know it would be a lot of work, but I’d really like to swap mine out and I have no idea how to wire one up. Thanks for all the info I’ve learned from your videos.
Tom
@briansrvvideos did a video installing a smart wheel on his Country Coach
What about putting a know on the top driver side of the tray?
That way u just hit the knob to push the tray in