The 34' Airstream was set up well for the needs of a
full-timer. However, there is always something to change. The
most significant, both in terms of usability and safety was the addition of
a Hensley Arrow Hitch. This is such an important item that I have
devoted an entire section to it (Hensley
Arrow Hitch). Other modifications and additions have personalized
our rig and made it even more suited for extended travel throughout the U.S.
Awnings
The Airstream came with a large Zip Dee awning on the curb
side. This affords shade and protection from the rain as long as the
wind is not blowing much (surely you don't leave your awning out in windy
conditions). The heat loading on the remainder of the windows and on
the street side of the trailer where the refrigerator is located can force
the air condition to work overtime. Therefore, we added awnings all
around. We added a single window awning to the curb side bedroom
window and to the rear window (a special awning is required on the rear
window since it is an emergency exit). We added two awnings to the
street side that virtually run from front to back. Since the very long
awnings are more likely to bow in the center, we used two almost equal
length awnings. One awning covers the living room and dining room
windows and the side of the coach behind the refrigerator. The second
awning covers the bedroom and bath windows.
Air Conditioning
Keeping a bright aluminum trailer cool in 100+ degree
weather can be a challenge. We replaced the 13,500 BTU air conditioner
with a 15,000 BTU heat pump. We then had the power vent over the
bedroom removed and the 13,500 BTU air conditioner installed in its place.
Electrical Modifications
Since the Airstream only has 30 amp service, the
installation of a second air conditioner required additional electrical
improvements. A second 30 amp, 120 volt electrical system was
added. An additional circuit breaker box was installed next to the
existing circuit breaker box in the cabinet over the head of the queen
bed. A second 30 amp power cord was routed through the wall down to
the bumper storage area so that we now have two 30 amp power cords. To
enable the use of both air conditioners simultaneously, an adapter plug was
made that has a 50 amp plug on one end and splits into two 30 amp female
connectors. Each 30 amp connector uses a separate leg of the 50 amp
circuit. This works well where 50 amp service is available. If
50 amp service is not available, we use an adapter to plug the rear air into
a 20 amp park receptacle, if it is available. Depending on how the
park's receptacle is wired, you will likely not be able to run both air
conditioners at the same time when 50 amp service is not available. We
find that running only the rear air at night is very comfortable.
Since many older parks suffer from low voltage, we
purchased an Autoformer. This 50 amp unit plugs into the park 50 amp
connection. If the park voltage drops below 112, the booster bumps the
voltage back to 118-120 volts. This minimizes the potential for damage
to voltage sensitive circuit boards such as in the refrigerator and to the
air conditioners or computers that can result from power below 110
volts. We have stayed in parks that had voltage readings as low as 105
volts. The Autoformer was able to bring this voltage up to a useable
112 volts. We keep a digital voltmeter plugged into the electric
outlet by the computer to monitor voltage conditions at all times.
Computer
The use of a laptop computer in an Airstream would be
easy. The folding table next to the couch or the dinette would serve
as a roomy work surface. However, being a computer addict, we travel
with 2 laptops and 2 desktop computers (one mid-tower and one mini-tower)
which share an 18.1" Sony LCD Flat Panel Monitor, laser printer, a
color ink jet photo printer, and a scanner. That presented a problem
with the standard storage and work top space. We did not want to give
up the dinette to create a permanent office, nor did we want to give up the
front couch. The solution - construct an extension to the
credenza. I removed the front drawer and door of the credenza,
constructed a wooden frame to extend the credenza to the edge of the dinette
and remounted the drawer and door. I then mounted two narrow matching
doors as a folding door on the couch side of the credenza extension. I
raised the floor in the new extension to allow the base of a swivel desk
chair to go underneath it. I made the top of the extension from
3/4" red oak plywood and finished off the edges with strips of solid
red oak. I mounted the mid tower computer on the credenza next to the
wall with the monitor sitting next to the computer. The monitor rests
on a surge protector/switching base (Newpoint Power Director). The
laser printer sits on the shelf under the extension and can be accessed from
either the street side or the front. I cut a hole in the wall of the
original credenza and mounted another door over the hole. This gave me
access to the original shelf in the credenza which I use to hold the color
ink jet printer. I use the space under the ink jet to store printer
paper and extra ink and toner cartridges. When not in use, I store the
scanner on its side between the laser printer and the wall. To use the
scanner I place it on the credenza extension next to the monitor.
Since I use a Canon USB scanner, connection is easily accomplished with a
single cord. I tried using a keyboard stand on rollers but it took up
too much space and tended to turn over during transit so I made a 12"
deep shelf of red oak and attached it to the credenza extension I had made
with angle brackets. I use velcro to keep the keyboard from sliding
around during our travels. The second desktop computer sits on the
opposite side of the monitor. The monitor allows switching between 2
desktop computers. The keyboard problem is solved by using a wireless
keyboard for one of the computers but I don't have a great place to store
the second keyboard. I use a separate wireless mouse for each of the 2
computers to reduce the maze of wires I already have. The 2 desktop
computers and one of the laptop computers are networked together through a
D-Link 10M/100M Ethernet Hub.
Internet connections presented the largest problem I
encountered during our first 18 months on the road. Only a few RV
parks have phone connections at the site and many do not even have a means
to allow you to hook up a laptop computer in the office. This has
really been an unfortunate adjustment for someone who was used to being on
the internet at midnight. This has been rectified by the installation
of a MotoSat
2-way Satellite Internet system. This system is significant enough
that I have included a special section to address it in detail.
page updated 09/22/08
