8 Insanely Easy RV Mods That Take Less Than An Hour
RV mods and upgrades don’t always have to take weeks or months. These simple ideas from iRV2 members should only take you about an hour or less and they’ll make a huge difference.
1. Get rid of odors with a holding tank vent
Average time: 10-20 minutes
These holding tank vents can be attached to your RV’s plumbing vent to get rid of black tank odors. They rotate 360 degrees and use the power of the wind to draw the smells up and out. Installation only takes about 10-20 minutes using silicone or roof sealant. No drilling needed!
2. Upgrade your showerhead
Oxygenics Showerhead. Photo via iRV2 member Msbehavin
Average time: 10-20 minutes
Swapping out your RV’s showerhead with an aftermarket option will give you longer, nicer showers. The Oxygenics BodySpa showerhead uses less water and has a better water pressure than the standard factory-made showerheads. They can be installed in only 10-20 minutes using a screwdriver and some Teflon tape.
You can read more about the Oxygenics showerheads on Do It Yourself RV.
3. Replace your RV’s door lock
Electronic Door Handle – Photo by iRV2 member LBZYA
Average time: 10-20 minutes
With a keyless touchpad lock, you won’t have to worry about taking your keys or fob while you’re out for the day; the door can easily be unlocked with a 4-digit pass code. The locks can be installed in only 10-20 minutes without any wiring.
They’re available for travel trailers and motorhomes and powered by AA batteries. Read more about upgrading your locks in this RV LIFE article.
4. Use Command Hooks to hang things around your RV
Command Hooks. Photo by iRV2 member dkingpt
Average time: 1-5 minutes
You can mount almost anything in your RV with Command Hooks. The brand makes small, medium, and large utility hooks, as well as a wide assortment of other hanging strips.
The durable large hooks can hold up to 5 pounds, meaning you can use them to not only hang towels but also lightweight baskets on the wall for extra storage. Check out our post here for more ideas on how you can use Command Hooks around the RV.
5. Add a screen door opener
Camco Screen Door Opener. Photo via Amazon
Average time: About 5 minutes
If you have the type of RV that requires you to open the slide to open your screen door, then you’ll love this inexpensive fix. You will need to drill a hole in the small sliding door, but aside from that, installation is a breeze and can be done in a matter of minutes.
6. Mount a wire rack to hold magazines, brochures, receipts, etc.
Magazine rack. Photo by iRV2 member LAC
Average time: About 5-10 minutes
Mount a wire rack on the wall or anywhere you have open, usable space. They can hold magazines and books, as well as important papers, brochures, campground maps, receipts, and other documents that you would like to keep organized.
7. Swap out your door window
Upgrade your RV door window. Photo via Thor Forums/Tom N3EQF
Average time: About 20-45 minutes
It’s fairly easy to replace your existing window with this tinted one from AP Products. It also comes with a sliding shade so you can block out the sun as needed.
8. Add a battery-operated wall lamp
LED wall light. Photo by iRV2 member LAC
Average time: About 5-10 minutes
These LED lamps can easily be stuck on the wall using 3M wall tape. iRV2 member LAC shares, “I like to sit back on the side of the dinette cushions with my back to the rear large window and read…this is a great lamp. Flexible arm.”
You could also use these lamps anywhere you need extra light, like in the bathroom or under cabinets. Since they only require AA batteries, no wiring, drilling, or power is needed.
You may also like these 10 RV Kitchen Ideas That Cost $50 or Less
What do you do when the batteries run down in your new door locks?
My thought, exactly.
I always carry a key. One lock-out was enough for me.
Use the included key.
Q: What do you do when the batteries run down in your new door locks?
A: You use the key. The combo option is for convenience, but if the RV is in storage, or you’re going to be away long enough for the batteries to run down, you’d better take the key. Failing that, a decent locksmith will make quick work of this with a lock pick. None of these RV locks are especially high security.
Further, you need a regular schedule (annual?) to change batteries so that leaky corrosion does not ruin a $300 lock?
I have that lock factory installed on my trailer. It emits lock and unlock tones when operated.The lock emitted an additional tone when the battery was low. I continued to use it for many days before changing the batteries. I also keep a set of keys in my tow vehicle just in case. You can use the FOB, combo pad or key to operate the lock. There is a switch to turn it off when not in use to conserve the batteries. My batteries lasted over a year.
Replace them !!
You open it with the key that came with it, that you have hidden away in a safe place.
A note about using Command hooks. I had used them extensively in 3 of our TTs without issue. Even hanging wet towels on them. However, my last TT was a Starcraft – I accidentally left a sweatshirt hanging on a Command Hook on the wall in the bathroom and after about 4 weeks, it literally pulled the paper off the wall. The hook stayed attached, the wall paper was just rumpled and sagging about 12″ down from the ceiling.. I am too afraid to use them on any papered surface now. I never knew that the walls were covered in wallpaper,
If you can open the NEW door lock by using a number code OR a KEY why buy it???
Much more. Secure than the original that so few keys fit so many. The key is a backup, just like on houses with similar locks.
You buy a coded door lock because many of the RV manufacturers ALL have the SAME LOCK with keys, therefore other people do have a key to unblock your door, whereas other people do NOT have the combination to your coded door lock.
We rent RVs and we offer some storage tips to our renters that are not permanent. One of them is to use the over-the-door shoe organizers instead of those command hooks. We have had so much wallpaper destroyed because of those darned hooks.
Like you should change your RV’s smoke alarms batteries in the spring and fall you can also change the locks batteries it’s what we do. The lock is convenient for kids / grandkids and guests so you don’t need to shuffle keys all the time.
Our MH came with Keyless touch locks on the door. It has been a real convenience. Ours is powered by the coach battery so we do not need to worry about separate batteries. The RV’s keyring has the keys for MH ignition and doors, the outside cabinet locks, the lock for the towbar, and the keys for the coach door. That’s a lot of keys to haul around so this way we only need the key to the cab and we can always gain access to the coach from there.