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Interior Modifications to our 2003.5 Coleman/Fleetwood Mesa
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New digital thermostat ($24 from Ace Hardware) to replace old
one. This will allow us to better control the temp with less temperature variance. 5" wide unit fits into the
5.25" opening from the old unit.
To make everything fit well, we moved the thermostat as far
to the left as possible to allow to open and replace the batteries. The wires were routed through an old mounting
hole rather than through the wire hole in the middle of the recess, as this allowed better alignment with where the wires
enter the back of the new unit. New mounting holes drilled and bolts with nuts and lock washers were used to hold new
mounting plate in place.
Installation of a FanTastic Fan. I removed the 4 plugs
marking the opening of the roof braces, drilled a small hole through the holes left by the plugs, so I could see from the
outside, where on the roof the hole would be. I then marked out the 14x14 square, drilled 1" holes with a hole saw attached
to my drill. Had to drill from both the top and bottom to make it through. It took a lot of courage to drill and
cut through the roof!!! After getting past that, the install was simple.
After creating the 4 holes, I cut out the square using
a sabre saw with
a smooth metal cutting blade.
The fan droped right in from the top. I cut a small channel
in the ceiling along the side of the fan to accomodate the power supply lines coming out of the side of the fan. They
needed to be routed out the back of the fan, toward the light I'd be getting power from, therefore, I had to form the channel
to get the wires from the side of the fan to the front.
I removed the front ceiling light to expose the supply wires
to connect the fan power lines to.
I then drilled a hole from the fan opening to the ceiling light
opening throught the foam installation to route the supply wires through. The length was 4 feet, so I used a flexible
auger bit. It worked quite well.
View of finished install, with trim piece installed hiding
channel I had to cut in the ceiling to hide repositioning of supply wires from side to front. Overall, a very easy install.
| A plastic shelf for storage of kitchen necessities |
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A plastic shelf above the galley area. One side hooks into curtain
track (hidden by curtain, fastened with a key ring and s hook) while the other end hooks over the wardrope hanger. Part
of a set of shelves from Wally World for $8. Paper towel holder ($4) is fastened with velcro straps.
| Shelf above chest |
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Plastic shelf that hooks into screen door track. Side pieces are from
set of shelves from Wally World for $8. Other components make up the Galley shelf. Bottom of shelf assembly is
a stock metal shelf from Lowe's ($5) cut to the right size. We use this to store toiletries for heading off to the shower.
The bottom shelf is fastened to the sides with velcro wraps. This assembly is very light, but very strong, and lets
the light and view from the window behind, through.
| Sterilite Drawers |
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Sterilite drawers (2 sets of 2 drawers, $16 each at Walmart) provide a chest
of drawers for our clothes. Each person gets one ... or we take just one set of two drawers on weekend trips.
Drawers store on floor when traveling. We give each person a drawer for packing whatever they want to bring. Once
we load the drawers and some food in fridge and pantry, we're off!
| Carpet installed |
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Carpet installed. Cut from a single piece, purchased at Menard's ($40).
We first made a template of the floor with poster board (8 pieces @ $.25/piece) and used the template to cut the carpet.
Used sheet metal shears to cut the carpet. Needed almost no trimming to fit .. was almost perfect on first try.
Carpet is rubber backed, so it sticks to the floor nicely. No tape needed. A perfect fit also keeps it from slipping.
We kept the poster board template, so if we need to replace the carpet, it'll be quite easy.
| Carpet Installed |
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To help make sure the carpet didn't slip, and to provide the appearance
of a more professional job, we cut around and installed underneath the sofa storage area. The carpet makes the interior
quieter, warmer, more comfortable and easier to clean. We use a hand vac to keep the carpet clean, and it needs to be
cleaned much less often then a vinyl floor to seem clean. (I know, the dirt is still there, but its not as apparent
on carpet compared to vinyl). Turned out nice!
| Carpet Installed |
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One more shot of the carpet showing a nice tight fit.
| Storage doors below dinette seats |
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We added doors to access the under dinette storage area ($30 each from dealer,
hardware $6 per door from Lowe's). We also had to move the access doors to the front storage trunk up 1/2" to accomodate
the installation of the carpet. We moved the doors up on the hinges, rather than the hinges up on the wall so that the
old holes are not visable.
| Extra Table |
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We picked up and extra folding table ($18 at Menards) to use as an extra
table at the sofa, if needed. We can also use outside as a storage table. It has 9 different height settings so
we can use as a tall table a short end table near a lawn chair or anything inbetween. When traveling, it is stored beneath
the dinette table.
| Galley Area |
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Sink cover from dealer ($30) give us more useable counter space. Dish
drainer sits atop stove. We do most cooking outside, so it's never in the way. Clip on pole above sink give us
a place to hang dish towels.
| Galley Shelf |
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Galley shelf, made of poplar, painted by Emily. Broom hangers hold
it to the galley bar. Brackets swing down and brace against back of galley. 48" long. Makes for convenient
area to set things. Stored on dinette during travel.
| Hot Water Solution |
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Our cheap solution for hot water in the sink. GE cordless hot water
kettle ($29.87 at Walmart) makes about 1/2 gallon of boiling water in 2-3 minutes. We put it on the little shelf next
to the sink, above the converter ... could find no other use for that shelf. Heat up the water and pour into the sink.
We thought this would be a temporary solution until we installed a hot water heater in the front trunk, but it's working so
well that it has become our permanent solution.
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| New storage drawer under dinette |
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We added a sterilite drawer behind one of the new access doors. Now
we can access small items from underneath the dinette seat easily and often. The drawer fills the front half of the
seat area. We use the rear half for storing things that we don't need to access quite as often. (Walmart $12)
| Fridge Shelf |
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The lower shelf in the fridge was cut to accomodate taller items without
losing the entire lower shelf. The shelf laying on the floor, next to the fridge has both the front and back areas cut
away to allow even more (or larger) items if necessary (like a full gallon of milk). Extra shelf from dealer was $15.
Cuts were made with Dremel tool, bent in bench vice, smoothed with bench grinder. Small rubber foot protects plastic
floor of fridge (Sears Hardware $0.25). White wire is from indoor/outdoor thermometer. We use the outdoor probe in the
fridge to monitor temp (Radio Shack $7).
| Front Bunk |
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Front bunk (as well as rear) has sheet set from PUX ($39.95). Specifically
made for the Coleman king bunk, each set has the top sheet sewn into the fitted sheet at the bottom, so it doesn't come untucked
(I hate when that happens). We also installed a Comfort Creations memory foam pad on each bunk ($49 from SmartBargains.com)
to help make more like home. Sheets are large enough to accomodate the memory foam. On top is a queen/king size
comforter ($19 from Target). We leave the beds made up at all times. Just pop the top and we're ready to go!
Light/fan combo (at top of picture) is Command brand ($53 from dealer). We use in the bunks, above galley and outside
under canopy. Fan has 2 speeds. Plugs into 12v headphone jack and hangs from pole.
| Humidity Collector |
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This is our homemade solution for controlling humidity during
storage. An old lid with holes punched fits inside an old 2gal bucket.
| Humidity Collector |
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The perforated lid sits about 1/2 way down the bucket.
We pour IceMelt on top. Humidity is collected in the bottom of the bucket.
| Ice Melt |
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IceMelt from Walmart. Much cheaper than purchasing DryEze
or a similar product. We check once every month or two for a refil.
| Table Light |
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Table light is a Vector Accent Lamp from Cabela's ($39). Rechargable
by 12v or 120v, it will run 8 hours on a charge or run while plugged in. Provides the right amount of light for the
dinette table, as it has a dimmer switch. Can also be used outside at the picnic table, but we usually use our Coleman
fuel latern outside.
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