Testimonial to the forum!

[Lesherp]

DW found this site when we were considering buying a TM. The information here helped us feel comfortable with the product and gave us knowledge concerning what to look for in purchasing a used trailer.

Once the purchase had been made it seemed obvious to me from reading here that much could done to improve the practicality and livability of the TM. We first took a few short executions with the trailer and have now returned from our first long trip back to visit relatives and vacation. We lived in the trailer for a month. I thought it appropriate and perhaps helpful to post something regarding my impressions on the value of this site and the modifications I have made to my trailer.

From reading and inspection of the trailer I decided the first project before we went camping should be the shower. It seemed very cramped with all the shower curtains. After a little research here I used the Ace Hardware framing strips and plastic sheeting to cover the walls and made the hands free shower with the soap dispenser. I am glad I can’t speak to how it was to take a shower before the modifications were done but can say that it is a pleasure using it now.

The second modification I did was the battery. The trailer was a 2006 so I decided just to go ahead and replace before ever taking it out. From reading here I decided 2- 6 V would be the way to go. I plan on doing a lot of dry camping. I also added a Clipper battery monitor. I camped 5 days in the Tetons with a camp site on the lake a wonderful view of the mountains and didn’t even take my batteries below 50%. We charged up at Fisherman Bridge upon arrival to the area as we were able to make reservations there. Only view we had there was of the trailer next to us. If you don’t dry camp you have no idea what you are missing.

The final modification I did before taking our first trip was upgrading the tires to 15”. All the talk of blowouts made me a bit nervous so I also purchased a tire monitoring system. I think it may have been the best $100 I have spent on the trailer. Driving down the road I know the pressure and temperature and will be alerted if they become problematic. I will at least know I have a problem as soon as it arises and possibly before it becomes critical. It made me feel a little better when it got 102 degrees going 65 MPH down the road.

After our first shakedown trip I found I hated the idea of sharing the nice big storage compartment in the bumper with a sewer hose. The fence post sewer hose storage makes it easy to get to and put away with no contamination of anything. Mine even came with slots for the fence in it to provide air circulation.

Before we had the TM we tent camped and used sun showers. I just put up a tarp and hoisted it up a tree with a pulley and you had a shower with a view. I have made a shower curtain holder out of PVC pipe that attaches to the back of the trailer with clamps. I had the curtain left over from the inside conversion so now we have a shower with a view again. The curtain is just high enough for modesty.

Those are my favorite modifications but I have also:

Put in a radio (it did not have one) and a way to use a second set of speaker for watching TV or set them up outside running wires through the refrigerator opening in back of the trailer. Put clamps on the back of the sofa for the awning tools. Put a rear privacy skirt for outside storage under the bed (I had the materials so why not). Converted lights to LED’s. Put heavy duty mud flaps on to help in case of blowout. I covered the vents so they can be used even when it is raining. Purchased 2” foam for the bed. Added a vent to the toilet. Put a deck plate in the holding tank.I have not had a chance to test it out in the field yet but I did the pump modification to quiet it added an accumulator and the ultimate water transfer bridge. I am most excited about the bridge and it could soon become my favorite modification.

I can’t thank everyone here enough for all your ideas and support when I have posted questions. Some of this I probably would have figured out at some point on my own, but but not without some trial and error. Some like the bridge I never would have thought of. Information here on WDH and brake controller save me much research and I got products I like. You have saved me a lot of time and possible frustration and made owning a TM nothing but a pleasure from the beginning.

Still have not mounted the TV or set up the bug screen I just got in the mail and I have a set of the self adjusting brakes to do at some point. I don’t know as I will ever stop working on this thing. I do love a project and retired last November. It is so nice to have the time to do things rather than add them to lists. Oh, and the best new tool I found at the site is the rivet nut fastener.

It will be a shame if TM has really shut their doors. I just feel sorry for those that will not be able to own one. I am sure we will all be camping in ours for years to come.

Thanks again to everyone here that has been so helpful.