An RV is as individual as its owner.  The way you use an RV, your interests and your finances will determine the type and extent of changes you make.  The first change that we made was storing the free-standing chair and table in the living room to make room for a computer desk.  We travel with three computers, two printers and a scanner.  The computer desk makes our life much easier and provides three file drawers, two smaller drawers and a pullout keyboard tray. 

Since we tow a car, we added a tow bar that stays on the rear of the motorhome when the car is not attached and added a custom Safari splash guard across the back.  The wiring was added to power the Remco Automatic Transmission Lubrication Pump and the lights in the car.  This allows us to tow our PT Cruiser without using a trailer or tow dolly.

Next, we had the MotoSat Two-Way Internet Dish removed from the Airstream and professionally installed on the Safari.

Our Safari did not come with an exhaust brake.  So we had a PacBrake installed by an authorized dealer in Dallas.  I would strongly recommend that any diesel powered motorhome be fitted with an exhaust brake, a jake brake or a transmission retarder.

Our Safari was built with a cabinet with drawers located in the bathroom in the space that would otherwise house a washer/dryer.  Since we wanted a washer/dryer, we had Safari remove the drawers and provide plumbing and electrical connections and install a Splendide washer/dryer.

Since you can never have enough horsepower and torque, Gale Banks Engineering of Azusa, California installed a Stinger kit.  The Cummins 5.9L CPL#1553 is rated by the factory at 230 horsepower and 605 lb-ft of torque.  The Banks Stinker kit provides 70 additional horsepower and 73 additional lb-ft of torque at peak.  Torque at the downshift point of 1800 rpm increases by 100 lb-ft.  The Stinger kit includes a new turbocharger and wastegate, a new fuel metering plate, a pyrometer, and a boost gauge.  Greater increases are available if you purchase the PowerPack instead of the Stinger.  The PowerPack includes all of the items of the Stinger kit and adds a new dual inlet intake manifold.  The PowerPack will add an additional 19 horsepower and up to an additional 30-40 ft-lbs of torque over the Stinger.  However, the PowerPack is almost twice as expensive installed as the Stinger.  Plan on spending around $2,100 for the Stinger and about $4,000 for the PowerPack installed.  The performance improvements are very noticeable.  6-7% grades can be climbed about 8 mph faster than before the Stinger.  The gauges also allow you to keep an eye on how the engine is performing.  My maximum boost increased from about 18 psi in stock form to 32 psi after installation of the Stinger.  Fuel mileage should remain about the same if you take advantage of the extra power to accelerate faster and climb hills faster.  Fuel mileage should improve if you drive at the same speeds and acceleration rates you did before the Banks was installed.  Prior to this installation of the Banks Stinger I was averaging 9.66 mpg.  During the first 6,470 miles with the Banks Stinger installed, I averaged 9.74 mpg or about a 1% increase in fuel economy while taking advantage of the extra power to climb hills and accelerate faster. 

I added a 5 input 3 output Video Switch to control the various video signals.  I used my existing MotoSat DataStorm internet satellite dish to receive the DirecTV signal.

 page updated 09/22/2008

I hope the information on this site is beneficial.  Happy RV'ing.

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