Aftermarket Upgrades that are Worth Every Cent

Modifications to a trailer or motorhome doesn’t have to be difficult to enhance your time on the road.

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Story and Photos by Jason Betzing

When I was assigned to write about what my wife and I thought were the top five upgrades we've done to our fifth wheel to make our RV experiences more convenient, I quickly jotted down a long list. Being full-timers and not big fans of roughing it, our style of RVing could be considered in the "Glamper" category. But after looking at the lengthy list, I cut it down to five that we are glad we did and would add to any unit that we buy in the future. 

1. 90 Degree Shorepower Adapter

Standard shorepower cables plug straight into the RV, but the weight of the cable (and challenges of gravity) creates a lot of strain at the connection. Within the first year of full-timing, we began to see the black cable jacket separate from the plug, exposing insulated wires. We kept an eye on it and the small gap became larger over time as plugging and unplugging it with the weight of the cable kept taking a toll.

The solution was a 90 degree (or ‘right angle’) shorepower cord adapter from Camco for around $50 USD. This simple solution relieves all the stress on the cable by allowing it to hang from the connection without added stress. The 90-degree design also allows for easier connections in tight spots and is available in 50-, 30-, and 20-amp configurations.

This adapter, along with others, is referred to as ‘dog bones’ due to their shape. We always carry a 50- to 30-amp adapter as well as a 50- to 20-amp adapter. Another solution would be to install a hard-wired power reel. Even though these are not cheap at around $1,000, it would be a great solution for folks with physical disabilities.

2. Sewage Valve

When we first started full-timing, we would always get nervous connecting the sewage hose to drain the black tank, as we were always greeted with a smelly ‘surprise’ by the small amount of leaking wastewater. After some research, we learned that it’s a common problem. 

We had two options including pulling the underbelly Coroplast - the protective plastic enclosing on the underside of the RV - and replacing the valve or simply installing an outside valve at the sewage hose connection, which is much cheaper with less labour. We chose the latter and purchased the Valterra Twist-On Waste Valve from Amazon. It was simple and is as easy to install as a sewage hose. It's also adjustable, provides peace of mind and is just $27 USD.

3. Auxiliary Fuel Tank

It took just one bad experience to realize that we needed an auxiliary fuel tank for our tow vehicle. We were once in rural Nebraska and the only signs of civilization were the paved road we were on and a rusty old windmill creaking eerily in the distance. My fuel gauge pointed directly to ‘E’ but we had just enough fuel to find a gas station. We then promise ourselves to never get into this type of situation again. 

As soon as we were stationary long enough, we ordered and installed a 340 L (90 gal) diesel aux tank and gravity drain. With our truck's standard tank, we can now carry approximately 454 L (120 gal) of fuel. As our truck gets 16 km/h (10 mpg) with the RV in tow, we now have a driving range of about 1,609 km (1,000 mi). It also allows us to stock up on fuel when it’s less expensive in certain areas and makes for stress-free travel in remote areas. 

We chose the RDS 90 gallon Transfer Fuel Tank with a diamond plate finish. With the installation kit and parts, this upgrade cost us around $800 USD. But we regret not getting the electric pump accessory for quicker fill-ups. 

We ordered it from Amazon, but this style of tank is available from a variety of suppliers and in several finishes. Our tank is lightweight at 52 kg (115 lb). But remember, the additional weight of the fuel should be considered with the towing set-up as 340 L (90 gal) of diesel tips the scales at approximately 285 kg (630 lb). Remember to also get a locking fill cap.

4. Residential Mattress and Luxury Sheets

Sleep is very important to recharge, feel rested and have enough energy at the end of the day to enjoy happy hour. Having our bedroom temperature set to ‘meat locker’ and the room as dark as possible always promises us a sound sleep. But one of the best things we did was upgrade to a residential memory foam queen-size mattress. 

We found the stock RV mattress terrible in every sense of the word. It was flat and of poor quality, which meant it wouldn't last long on a full-time basis. It was also shorter than a residential-style mattress and didn't quite fit my 188 cm (6.2 ft) frame. Due to the odd dimension, sheets need to be a special size, which limits our choices. We've tried a variety over the years and now use Hotel Style 600 thread count, 100 percent cotton sheets from Walmart - of all places. They'll only set you back $59 USD for Queen size but the quality is excellent, they are comfortable, and easy to find.

5. Water Filtration and Softening System

You've probably seen the little blue water filters threaded onto other RV water hoses. They work very well and if you're an occasional RVer, they may suit your needs just fine. They are inexpensive at $17 USD (or less), last approximately three months and filter water to 20 microns. 

We have used these for a couple of years. However, once we were full-time and found ourselves in many different locations with a variety of water sources, we knew we needed better, more consistent water filtration. We also noticed orange trails of rust and mineral scale around the faucet nozzles of our RV, indicating hard water. 

Since these filters are not efficient with hard water, we decided to install a two-stage filtration system using a one-micron sediment filter and a carbon cartridge that we purchased from the RV Water Filter Store. To soften the water, we purchased On The Go's Double Standard water softener, which softens 2,422 to 6,056 L (640 to 1,600 gal) of water per charge. 

Regeneration simply requires two boxes of table salt with the option to add Iron OUT for extremely hard water. We were able to utilize our storage area adjacent to the water hookup and plumbed everything in with PEX tubing. I included several isolation valves for system maintenance. A regeneration lasts us about two months, and we change the carbon filter every four months. 

The water softener cost us $273 USD and the two-stage filter was $100 USD. This was a great addition since we know there won't be an accumulation of mineral deposits and rust within our water system. The water tastes great and we know it's safe to drink. It can also be set up outside your RV using garden hoses and many do. We just enjoy having only one water hose to connect to. If you opt for a water softener in your RV, you'll want to use magnesium instead of aluminum if your water heater has anodes. 

We did these improvements over three years. Some other great upgrades include Club Chairs from Camping World, a keyless entry, as well as a dishwasher, washer/dryer, and slow-close toilet seat. 

The aftermarket products we chose or used to improve our RV are highly individual but hopefully, they’ll provide some inspiration to improve function and convenience in your  trailer or motorhome. 

Jason Betzing and his wife sold it all in Michigan to live their Full-Time RV dream. He retired at age 40 when they decided winter is a drag and world travel is more fun than shovelling snow. He loves helping people by sharing authentic, first-hand experiences. Connect on Instagram @FullTimeFire, Facebook @Jason Betzing, or on his blog at https://www.MilesTwoGo.com