Upgrade Your Rig without Breaking the Bank
It’s been your home away from home, your refuge, your mobile happy place. You’ve seen the country together, marvelled at a thousand sunrises and sunsets and watched the kids grow, but the miles are starting to show.
Changing it for something new or newer is not an option; you’ve bonded. Fortunately, there are upgrades you can do to your ageing travel trailer or motorized RV that don’t cost an arm and a leg and can significantly enhance your comfort and convenience on the road.
LED Lighting Conversion
Replace your old incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient LED lights. LED bulbs consume less power, last longer, and yield a brighter and more aesthetically pleasing form of illumination. A variety of options is available, from RV ceiling lighting strips to exterior lighting to over-counter units. Depending on the options you select and the size of your RV, a complete LED conversion kit can range from $50 to $200.
High-Flow Ventilation Fan
They offer superior circulation and better air quality — standard vent fans that come with your range or cooktop are usually woefully inadequate. Most models come with built-in rain covers. For a basic model, costs start around $150, while more advanced models with additional features may range from $200 to $400.
Rooftop Air Conditioning & Heating unit
Like a heat pump, these units, installed into your skylight window opening, provide both heat and cooling. For RVing in Canada, where the winters are only for the hardiest and the summers are usually more moderate, equipping your vehicle with one may not be necessary; however, if your plan is to park in some desert campground in the States, you may not be able to go without one. Figure around $500 for a 13,500 BTU unit.
Solar Panels
Go green and harness the power of the sun by installing solar panels on the roof of your RV, or use a portable charging kit that can be set up in a jiffy. Before investing, determine your daily power requirements by adding up the wattage of all your devices and appliances, plus estimate your peak power needs. Depending on what your calculations reveal, the cost to equip yourself adequately can range from $200 to $1,000.
Get a quality mattress designed to fit your RV
Did you know many RVs take a special mattress size? A standard queen (60 in. × 79½ in.) is slightly longer than an RV queen (60 in. × 74½ in.). Not all mattress companies produce these special sizes — and then there are sheets. A decent quality RV mattress can be found for around $200 to $500, while higher-end options may cost upwards of $1,000.
Kitchen Upgrades
Enhance your kitchen area with upgrades such as a new faucet, additional storage, or a more efficient refrigerator. Budget-friendly options may range from $50 to $200, while more extensive renovations could cost several hundred dollars or more.