Written by Michael Boyink in The RV
Our best RV modifcations for fulltime RVing as a family.
Welcome! We’re a fulltime RVing family of four. We’ve been on the road since 2010. These are the modifications we’ve made to our 2014 Wildcat Bunkhouse Fifth Wheel RV to make it comfortable and usable.
Exterior Mods
These are the projects we’ve done on the outside:
New Decals
We ordered our fifth wheel without the swoops - but the factory did install their “Wildcat” logos. We replaced them with our own logo.
More Logo Details
Internet Antennas
We work online so depend on having internet coverage. To maximize our chances of a good signal I installed an exterior Wifi Ranger router and a 4G antenna on the crank-up TV antenna.
Read more about our internet setup.
Outdoor Office
Our trailer came with an exterior door for an optional outdoor fridge that we didn’t get. As soon as I saw the size and shallow depth of the storage space I started scheming a way to turn it into an outdoor office.
I installed:
A small clip on table
A power outlet
A second monitor
More details on the standup desk are here.
Better Stablization
RVs shake and shimmy when people move around in them. To help stabilize our unit we had the dealer install a JT Strongarm system.
We also use a set of x-chocks when parked for more than a day or two.
I’d estimate that between these two items 90% of the trailer movement is eliminated.
JT Strongarms installed up front.
Smoother Towing
To smooth out the feedback (or “chucking”) between truck and trailer we also had the dealer install a Mor/Ryd Pin Box System.
Our newer and heavier trailer tows smoother now than our older and lighter trailer did without the Mor/Ryd.
Mor/Ryd Pin Box Installed
Screen Door Magnets
The latch on our screen door broke within weeks of getting the new RV. I assumed that fixing it with original parts would last about as long.
I found this discussion forum thread which linked to this video showing how to use a rare-earth magnet setup instead.
Now we just push on the screen door frame or “bump” the bottom with a foot to open the screen door.
Interior Mods
Here’s what we’ve added to the interior of our bunkhouse fifth wheel:
Power Outlets
This trailer is short a couple of power outlets. The forward end of the living area only has an outlet for the TV. The bunkhouse has one outlet period.
I added one outlet for a charging center and another where I could reach it from the seating area.
I added this plug - no more cords dangling from the tv outlet.
Device Charging Center
For the charging center I mounted a surge-suppressed power strip that accommodated all the various chargers.
I mounted another shelf above that spot, carpeted it, and routed all the plugs to it. I secured them with a plastic wire clamp so they stay in place.
To charge a device we just need to find the right plug, plug it in, and set the device on the shelf.
Completed charging center
Bluetooth Connection
I also made room for a Bluetooth receiver and found an unused input to the stereo in the mess of wires behind it so all of the Bluetooth wiring is hidden.
Now we can connect to the trailer stereo from my iPhone for music or from a laptop for watching movies.
Internet Gear - Inner
Inside the RV we have a network-attached backup drive, two routers, and a 4G amplifier for our aircard.
I cut a piece of plywood, covered it in automotive carpet, arranged all the components on it and routed the wires using tie-downs.
Read more about how we get internet.
Couch Out - Ikea Chairs in
The couch that came in our fifth wheel wasn’t comfortable for any of us.
Ikea to the rescue - we had their Poang Chairs in our first trailer and loved how comfortable, light and inexpensive they are.
We ordered some dark wood versions of the Poang with red cushions to brighten up our dark trailer interior. When the chairs arrived we yanked the couch and sold it on Craigsist.
We eventually replaced the dining table with two more Poang chairs so the entire family could hang out in the same room.
Living room version 3 - comfy seats all around.
Coffee Table
I bought a “shoe-bench” from Amazon to serve as a coffee table in the living room (also visible in photo above). It has a bottom shelf, about 5” of hidden storage under the lid, and can serve as extra seating if need be.
I ended up removing the hinges - this way we can lift the lid off to access the storage from either side without having to clear it off entirely first.
Fruit Basket
We needed more fruit storage, so I hung a wire fruit basket from our overhead cupboards (also visible in photo above).
Stacking Bins
The kids needed a way to organize their clothes in the bunkhouse wardrobe unit.
I found some stacking storage bins on Amazon that looked perfect.
The bins provided necessary storage and don’t have drawers that like to open themselves while going down the road. They left enough space in the wardrobe to store a guitar and a keyboard stand.
The few hanging clothes Miranda has now get rolled up and stored in the large drawer below.
Stacking bins in kids wardrobe.
Dinette Bench Mod
I modified the rear dinette bench by removing the face boards from the lower bench support. There is a lot of storage under these seats but the rear one you had to flip up the entire seat to access.
I added some metal corner supports to keep the unit rigid and with it open now shoes or a laundry bag can be tucked under the bench.
Modified bench makes this space accessible all the time.
Keyboard Storage Shelf
We travel with a fullsize keyboard. It needed a dedicated space to live and travel in.
I scrapped together a shelving unit from some spare lumber, covered it all in carpet, and installed it in place of the upper bunk. I installed some marine-type rope cleats so we could rope it all off for travel.
The shelf is only as deep as the keyboard needs, so it allows the kids to sit at their table without having to duck under it.
Keyboard shelf replaces upper bunk.
Magnet Collection
We collect fridge magnets to memorialize our travels. I needed a place to display them.
I removed the unused TV mount and cut, fit, clear-coated and mounted 7 lengths of 1.25 strap steel on that wall to serve as a place to display our fridge magnet collection. I also mounted some 5x7 photo frames on magnets to hang here.
We put together a video on making our own collectable fridge magnets you might want to watch.
The collection takes up the entire wall where a TV would have been. Magnets attached to photo frames allows display of pictures mixed in with the magnets.
Digital Photo Frame
While I try to minimize our technology I have a ton of photos from our travels and it’s nice to see them more often.
So I added a digital photo frame to the living room.
We like how they trigger questions and conversations about our experiences.
Fixed Sink
The trailer came with the sink hung under the counter by 3 thin sheet metal straps that immediately bent from sink use.
I made legs from PVC plumbing supplies, sized to wedge in underneath the sink. I can then tighten them further by “unscrewing” the shaft.
Support legs for kitchen sink.
Tree Mural
The rear wall of the living area of our new trailer was this big empty canvas just begging for something.
The challenge is there is little clearance there when the main slide room comes in - I couldn’t even hang framed prints without having to remove them each time.
I remembered seeing different decals for walls and found these RoomMates RMK1317GM Tree Branches Peel & Stick Wall Decals on Amazon.
One looked a bit small so I ordered two and pieced them together for a larger tree. I used leftovers on the other side of the door as well.
New tree mural
When I go in my bedroom now I feel like I’m walking into a forest.Miranda
Shoe Storage
In our RV, the only place we could place shoes to keep them handy was right in the entryway, along the edge of the cabinet.
I googled around different solutions for shoe storage, I found a shoe rack that had just simple vertical pegs to slide shoes over.
I realized I could build a shoe rack out of PVC pipe to fit the space we had.
I used schedule 80 3/4” tubing and the cheaper schedule 40 connectors. I made all the pegs long enough to get my (size 12) shoes up and off the floor. Once assembled I gave it a quick shot of flat black paint to cover the white connectors.
I initially didn’t glue it together. However - it sits right over a register grate and when the heat ran the PVC would expand. The rack would then get all floppy. I later glued it all together.
PVC Shoe Rack
Shelves
The Wildcat is considered a “lightweight” trailer - which seems to sometimes mean “we left off as much as we can while still calling it a complete trailer”. With the cabinetry this means hardly any shelves anywhere. I added:
A side shelf in each pantry - taking advantage of the “around the corner space” from the front
A shelf in the cupboard over the fridge
A shelf in the cupboard over the counter - designated for coffee supplies, ect
Two shelves in the left-most cupboard, spaced so plates and glasses get a designated space
A shelf in the right-side nightstand
A shelf in the master bedroom wardrobe
Shelves in the entertainment center
Shelves in the dish and glassware cupboard
Hooks
Our trailer is basically a shrine to the Command brand of hooks. We love them because we don’t have to drill holes in the walls. I installed Command hooks for:
Coats in hallway
Hats over the entry door
Towels in the shower
Keys and headlamps
Jewelry
Oven Mitts in the Kitchen
Command Hooks for coats and hats.
Other Accessories
Some of these items came uninstalled from the factory, others I had to purchase:
Mounted the paper towels on the flip-up cupboard door above the microwave for ease of access while using the kitchen, but to keep them out of sight otherwise
Installed towel bar in bathroom
Installed a towel bar on the end of the counter
Installed our wall clock/inside-outside thermometer over the bunkhouse door
Installed broom clips in luggage area for broom and other long/skinny items
Paper towels mounted to hide away when not in use
Bumpers and Felt Pads
RVs move a lot going down the road. Doors also get flung open carelessy. I tried to stave off damage and:
Installed several small bumpers where doors contacted walls, etc
Put felt bumpers on the back of the curtain bottoms so they don’t rattle as the trailer moves (when people are walking, etc)
Put rubber feet on the bottom of the sink covers so they can sit on the countertop without scratching
Installed felt bumper for sliding door where it meets the wardrobe
Whew!
Somehow in addition to doing all of the above we’ve actually had time to enjoy living in our RV fulltime since buying it in late 2013.
Need more RV info? We’ve got a list of cool apps for RVers, a rundown of camping discounts, and places to find campground reviews.
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