I like to fix things I buy as soon as I get them so that I can enjoy them without constantly fixing and modifying things. This spurred my “50 mods in 50 days” challenge on the Coachmen Spirit 2963 BH. I ended up doing 55 modifications! I went overboard I guess!
I’m not including all the fixings (tightening bolts and screws, etc) that come with a new camper. For those new to RVing, you should know that every RV has a lot of missing, faulty screws, and pieces that need to be repaired even when new due to the mass-manufacturing process.
I do want to share a little bit about my ethos though- I am very much a VALUE minded buyer, so I always look for things that generate the most benefit for the lowest cost. That does not mean I buy the cheapest every time, but rather I try to balance quality, efficacy, and cost. That does mean on places where the benefit is “small”, I may go cheaper, but where quality is “essential”, I spend a little more. Each item below was very very deliberate in its selection based on this ethos.
Download the below printable list with pictures here!
- Adding a puck light to rear storage. If I didn’t have this one laying around the house already, I would have bought the better one I used below in the other compartment. This is the one I used, not sure if it’s the one I’d buy: https://amzn.to/38w033G
- Moving the bunk lock so it locks easier
- The not-at-all-exciting Mud Dauber protection devices (Water heater): https://amzn.to/3LnojDA I’m only using this one for storage because you can’t open the hot water heater with it installed.
- Mud dauber protection for for furnace connection. This one is both more imperative AND you can leave it on year round0 https://amzn.to/3LnojDA .
- Replacing the only cheap-looking-thing in the camper, the 1980’s bathroom faucet. EASIEST faucet replacement I ever had in my life and looks 10x better. – https://www.ebay.com/itm/301098244643
- Added a new circuit for the outside fridge (Keep it from spoiling food when the GFCI trips). It also adds the separate circuit needed for the fireplace added later, and allows the fridge to be shut off when desired (like over winter). – Readily available in hardware stores, oddly unavailable to find the right one online.
- Connected the TV to the Jensen stereo, so we can use the stereo speakers inside AND outside…. No more missing the details of the big game because I run outside. – https://amzn.to/3vKy345
- Added a TV with DVD player on a swivel in the master bedroom. TV: https://amzn.to/3xXb6NJ, Locking RV Mount: https://amzn.to/3KkRtBS
- Mounted (and routed the cabling) for a bluray player. Really frustrated they eliminated the DVD players from the 2963… but at least I now have bluray. https://amzn.to/38sW7AC I did need a right angle HDMI adapter: https://amzn.to/38sSzhC
- Not much of a mod, but added a nice 30a to 15a adapter so we have electricity at home. https://amzn.to/3kiH3Z0 I also won’t count this as a mod because its more of an accessory, but get a circuit tester and surge protector. They are cheap and too many friends and families have fried their campers even at reputable parks: https://amzn.to/37Hd8al
- Installed the level that came with the camper but wasn’t installed…
- Installed a RAS HD (roadmaster active suspension) on the haul vehicle. https://amzn.to/3vJYt6g
- SUBS. No bass at all for movies or music in these things, but I noticed a sub out on the Jensen. $0 and a few hours later, we’ve got amazing sound! Perfect spot for them behind the tv. I used a computer sub that was laying around at my neighbors house (thanks neighbor!) This is the perfect place behind the TV to hear it inside and outside, but only when you want it!
- Mopeka Propane tank monitors. Nothing worse than running out of propane in winter! – https://amzn.to/3F6Bx5v
- Faucet sprayer nozzle. Saw some others, but this one looks almost factory. Not as good as the 2020 pull downs, but at $12… A lot cheaper. https://amzn.to/3EU9buM
- Towel holder. Not exciting, but needs to be done. Put on this wall because the door hits it on the other wall
- Toilet paper holder.
- Insulation/light block for bedroom. Not sure how anyone lives without these! – https://amzn.to/3vhDys6
- 18×2… Insulation/light block for main cabin. – https://amzn.to/3vhDys6
- Door stop for pantry door. One of the few poor designs on these things.
- Put a switch on the subs. Sound great, but don’t want to bother the neighbors during a late night movie night! – https://amzn.to/37SC926
- Gel foam mattress topper. So far so good, but wanted to try before putting a new mattress in like we did on all our other campers. It works much better. Can’t find the one we bought to recommend it though.
- 50″ Fireplace! I think this is the one most people have been waiting for, and I think I’m the first to put a full length fireplace in the spirit… https://amzn.to/3KklYbd . Very happy with the price, quality, and install simplicity. I could have pushed it back another inch but didn’t.
- Child lock in main compartment – Did this on our first camper and it saves the day to keeping kiddos from getting out. https://amzn.to/3MAnO9g
- 2 doors = 2 child locks https://amzn.to/3MAnO9g
- Bug Zapper – Surprised how well these work. I bought mine at menards, but I can’t find it on their site. This looks like it works the same way: https://amzn.to/3EWbZYr
- Added a google chromecast to bedroom TV. Chromecasts permit streaming from phones using local network (via the king router) even if there is no internet access, such as downloading movies from phones! https://store.google.com/us/product/chromecast?pli=1&hl=en-US
- Added an Extra bathroom hook. https://amzn.to/3vPGFX8
- Hold downs for the aluminum blinds – https://amzn.to/38swcce
- Heater vent for the bunks (thanks Kevin!). Here is the collar you need for the heater: https://amzn.to/3MAMfUk . You don’t need a new vent if you put in a fireplace. Here’s the ducting I used- it comes with the clamps you need. https://amzn.to/3kfJRpK . I bought 25’, but I think 16’ is enough.
- Electric outlet in storage compartment. This is not the one I used because I had a spare from home construction. There is enough room to use a home-use bracket, but its easier to buy this all in one unit vs the home ones which cost almost the same because you have to buy 4 pieces separately: https://amzn.to/3KkYGlx
- Intranet wifi – https://amzn.to/3vmAgnA . I recommend this KING for a very good reason- It allows everything inside the camper to network WITHOUT external wifi, giving you an intranet you can use for streaming music, movies, or playing games and activities. Then when you get to a campground, one person (IE me) can enter the password to the king router and then all the devices inside the camper are connected to the wifi. In other words, you don’t have to reconnect devices at different parks! Huge savior! I tucked it behind the fridge.
- Water / protection shelves on storage compartments. This is one of the only products way cheaper in your local hardware store, but here’s a link anyway: https://amzn.to/3kjr2lC
- Haloview backup camera installed with furion adapter plate even though it was prewired for voyager?? Camera System: https://amzn.to/39moyRe Adapter Plate: https://amzn.to/3yd7SGn
- 12v outlet for tire pumps and tools – https://amzn.to/38ttrHR
- Motion detector light in storage compartment. There are one roe LEDs which are not nearly as bright. I recommend the 30 LED option: https://amzn.to/3kfL5Bl
- Haloview monitor in truck – https://amzn.to/39moyRe
- outdoor thermometer. The wire is annoying but it is what it is. I didn’t want wireless because of reliability year round. I don’t like a lot of “maintenance” items. https://amzn.to/39m62bI
- Extended wifi receiver behind fridge, right behind the plastic- much more effective! – https://amzn.to/38wPM7n
- Small outdoor TV next to the fridge
- Grill mount outside on bumper – https://amzn.to/38t1eRt
- Grill (This one is what I have but in stainless instead of black: https://amzn.to/38vjSry )
- Broom hanger inside closet
- Bumper Reinforcements: Some 2963bh have boxed frames like mine, some have I frames. This is supposed to be able to work with both. https://www.quickproducts1.com/product-p/qp-sbsbu.htm . Necessary if you are putting any weight on the rear bumper, as our bumpers are not weight rated.
45, 46, 47 -Rhino portable holding tank + wheel kit + Bumper Mount. AKA “Honey Pot” for bringing sewage to the dump site for longer stays. The 2963BH has TINY tanks, so this helps. Camco holding tank: https://amzn.to/3KoQJM2 . RV Tote Carrier for your rear bumper. BE SURE TO USE REAR BUMPER REINFORCEMENTS BEFORE INSTALLING!!! https://amzn.to/3kfTTXN . Honey Pot steering kit to make it easier to transport your rhino tote: https://amzn.to/3Kn2kvb
- Soap dispenser on wall of outside sink
- Insulation added to underside (spray foam) to close up all gaps and help in winter. This is cheaper in your local retail store, but there are a LOT of gaps for air, and also mice and bugs. Worth taking the time to do: https://amzn.to/3OGPATl
- “Window tinted” the heck out of the bedroom auto light so it still turns on all the time but it doesn’t wake me up at night. I used packing tape, but some day will replace with static cling window tint.
- Drilled a finger hole in the wood above the dining seats so you can open them more easily from the top
- Hook on the back of the door (command strip)
- Sealed up the gaps between the rear cabinets and the outside for both winter and bug prevention (It doesn’t look like it was a problem with the build, looks like its designed like that). I used clear caulk. Gaps were substantial here and bugs got in if I leave the ouside door open.
- Air Conditioner Repair: The Furion unit has the same problem as some other units on the market… It recycles cold air!!!! It was really bad. Thirty minutes later, i have much better ac. Here’s before and after and how I did it
The problem: even when installed correctly, there are substantial air gaps on both sides of the warm/ cold divider. This is exasperated by the fact that the two sided tape and self sticking foam won’t hold.A secondary issue is that the output vents to your twice cooled ducts are partially blocked/tapes over. This tape can be torn back and retaped to improve airflow through your ceiling vents.
The solution: take off the plastic cover (4 screws), then using aluminum HVAC tape, seal up the plastic divider as well as the massive gaps. I sealed from both sides to assure no airflow can pass the divider. I then replaced the foam and went overkill and sealed it up too. I then sealed around the bottom of the foam because there were two smaller gaps there. Put it all together and tada!!! 5x better air-conditioning!!! (ok.. more like 1.43x better. )
HVAC Tape: https://amzn.to/3EPOMag
- Splitter for propane so I can use both the grill and the outdoor kitchen: https://amzn.to/3LnX2ks
Download the above list in a printable format with pictures here!
Want more recommended accessories that aren’t necessary “mods”? See what we use here: Must Have Accessories
A note about links: No one paid me to select any of these products. I selected all of these for my own use, based on my own research and decisioning. I provide these links as a courtesy, and while I have never received a payment for hosting links on my site, amazon may pay me a small percentage if enough people do buy from them- however, the products were not selected for this purpose.
I posted them from friends on the Coachmen Spirit RV Page asking me for what products I used!
Want more recommended accessories that aren’t necessary “mods”? See what we use here: Must Have Accessories