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 12/28/05
