Take Your RV to the Next Level // 36 Mods & Upgrades in My Imagine XLS 21BHE Travel Trailer

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  • Опубліковано 15 жов 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 55

  • @AdventureRocks
    @AdventureRocks  4 місяці тому +2

    As promised, below is a link to all the products featured in today's video:
    amzn.to/3U3Vm5k

  • @tommwarneke396
    @tommwarneke396 24 дні тому +1

    Your videos help me get my thoughts together. Thank s. We had a Grand Design a few years ago. Loved the quality, the quiet inside, the insulation and so much more! Looking to get a 21HBE

    • @AdventureRocks
      @AdventureRocks  21 день тому

      Thank you. I really am enjoying it a lot.

  • @dancoleman1269
    @dancoleman1269 Місяць тому +1

    That is one of my favorite RV's. I wanted a 21BHE badly. Sadly, I never did get one, choosing a Reflection instead. Nevertheless, the XLS-21BHE is a great camper and I would have loved to have one if it weren't for my wife falling in love with the Reflection that we ended up buying. Thanks for your great video.

    • @AdventureRocks
      @AdventureRocks  Місяць тому

      Thank you, appreciate the kind words. Reflection is pretty nice too!

  • @linkfloyd4908
    @linkfloyd4908 3 місяці тому +2

    Late to your video but would love to see more about your modifications to the nautilus panel, especially the clear viewing panel and permanent filter. Also, this is an intimidating level of mods, wow!!

    • @AdventureRocks
      @AdventureRocks  3 місяці тому +1

      Thank you for feedback! I will plan to do more videos on it in the future!

  • @chipper111
    @chipper111 4 місяці тому +1

    We just bought this trailer and am so stoked you got this given how much you improve it. Ton for us to learn from. Your tour video also sold us on the model. We appreciate you! Thank you

    • @AdventureRocks
      @AdventureRocks  4 місяці тому

      Thank you. It's nice to connect with fellow owners.

    • @chipper111
      @chipper111 4 місяці тому +1

      @@AdventureRocks I wanted to ask you about that outdoor table with Faucet. Did you do a video on that? Love that idea and want to implement it. I see the faucet and connector on the amazon list and just curious on the table.

    • @AdventureRocks
      @AdventureRocks  3 місяці тому

      @@chipper111 Thank you. I plan to do a video in future on the table/faucet setup...perhaps within next month or so. Here's an older, but similar one as far as the quick connect aspect in the meantime:
      ua-cam.com/video/k7aDl_Q_YFI/v-deo.html

    • @AdventureRocks
      @AdventureRocks  3 місяці тому +1

      @@chipper111 I used the Dometic table in my video:
      amzn.to/4cqS17H
      ...but you can use really any table...whatever size/material you prefer. Anything that is easy to drill through for the faucet to mount.

  • @myjavadogs
    @myjavadogs Місяць тому +1

    Love all the mods……question, are you able to fold up the bed while it’s made? Assuming you have to remove the pillows first…..

    • @AdventureRocks
      @AdventureRocks  Місяць тому

      @@myjavadogs thank you. Yes, actually where the fold is (about 1/3), you can leave pillows when folded. It's like a mini storage locker back there when closed up. I've always been reluctant with Murphy beds in past, but doing the topper with encasement is doable for comfort and it really keeps the length/size of RV down.

  • @woo1517
    @woo1517 2 місяці тому +1

    I just got this same camper. I pick it up next week. I'd love to see how you did the water pressure regulator and the water filter.

    • @AdventureRocks
      @AdventureRocks  2 місяці тому

      Thank you, and congrats on new camper! I will plan to do a video on the PRV and filter, hopefully in about a month.

  • @andrewalker2603
    @andrewalker2603 2 місяці тому +1

    Thank you for your videos. I’m a subscriber for sure. These mods are all so smart and so clean. I have so many questions, but maybe I’ll start with the battery swap. Did you have to change your charge controller for the LiFe or was it a swap and go? Amazon doesn’t have the Renogy anymore, so would you have another recommendation or should I try to find the Renogy somewhere else.
    I also have a GD Imagine (3100RD, 2023 model), the same truck (AT4 trim) and just bought the Bluetti you have, so thanks for your other vids that have helped me solve a few other issues. I’m thinking of trying your portable battery install in my TT with the Bluetti.
    Thanks for the time you put into your vids. Some of the best on UA-cam.

    • @AdventureRocks
      @AdventureRocks  2 місяці тому

      Thank you! I appreciate the kind words.
      For converter/charger question: Thankfully on my 2024 unit, Grand Design is using a converter/charger from WFCO that is "auto-sensing" for lithium and lead-acid. It basically tries to identify the charging profile of the connected battery and then it'll determine lithium or lead-acid without any intervention. It mostly works as expected...only one time after discharging the lithium to nearly 0% accidentally did I notice the WFCO stumbling to figure out it was lithium and charge it to full. All that to say, check if your WFCO has that feature as I don't know when Grand Design switched to using it. The older WFCO models are really lead-acid only so if you use with lithium it'll only get you up to about 80% charge or so. If that is your case unfortunately you might have to buy a replacement charger...they are pretty simple to install worst case.
      For the battery question, there are tons of great batteries out there and a lot of mixed opinions with all the price points and questionable safety/reputability of the newer brands. Battleborn is the gold standard, but recently so many other good alternatives have been put to test that are far more affordable dollar for dollar and offer 80% or more of the features and performance at less than half the price. Renogy in my mind has kinda been a mid-grade player, but very reputable. I like that the Pro model has the self-heating and bluetooth built-in. Here is a link to buy off Renogy's site direct:
      renogy.sjv.io/m5Wkb1
      All that to say there are other good batts out there...I haven't used others presonally, but plenty of other reviewers out there to help. Anyway, appreciate you watching and if any other questions just let me know.

  • @TLeacher
    @TLeacher 2 місяці тому +2

    You are a straight up gangsta bruh!!!! I am just gonna go buy whatever you buy dude!!!! For real for real, I am trying to sell my Casita Heritage Deluxe 17’ Fiberglass Travel Trailer so we can get one of the these. Very glad to find you have done this amazing piece of work! I will be following all your vids on this brethren!!!! I also live in TN… Thanks!!!!

    • @AdventureRocks
      @AdventureRocks  2 місяці тому +1

      Thank you, I appreciate the kind words. I have really enjoyed this specific RV and floorplan. It's an incredible value for what you get and so easy to camp in.

    • @TLeacher
      @TLeacher 18 днів тому +1

      What are your thoughts on a gas/propane generator? Brand, size, etc? Where would you mount it, how would you wire it in, etc?
      Hitch carrier basket on rear? Stromberg Carlson trailer tray on the front?
      Philosophy of use would be for travel days during summer and to use when/if able and not bothering others with the noise…

    • @AdventureRocks
      @AdventureRocks  18 днів тому

      @@TLeacher I had a built-in Cummins propane on my last rig. They are nice to have, but really it was underutilized in my case. However, I use this power station setup here in this video every trip: ua-cam.com/video/-Wrc--_5lJQ/v-deo.html
      Only thing I'd be careful of with the a-frame up front and receiver on rear, is the weight...too much on either could cause frame to fail. The leverage point with receiver on rear in particular...oftentimes if it stretches out too far with all the bumps that just causes receiver/frame to bend and fail eventually. I'd keep weight up front to no more than 100 extra pounds in addition to single battery and propane.

    • @AdventureRocks
      @AdventureRocks  18 днів тому

      @@TLeacher Otherwise for the generator, no harm in getting a Westinghouse 3600W or similar that is affordable...keeping it in back of truck. Just as long as it is an inverter generator...really lots of good ones in the $500-$700 range.

  • @scrub175
    @scrub175 Місяць тому +1

    Awesome work yet again. For the LED down lights, did you have to add additional DC power down the line of the long light runs?
    Our GDRV has a couple of lights under the master bedroom slide with a switch in the wet bay, I’m thinking about tapping into that for similar control. I will check your videos to see if you documented the downlight led install.
    Is the Jayco Pinnacle, I believe it was the pinnacle, out of your fleet now?

    • @AdventureRocks
      @AdventureRocks  Місяць тому +1

      Thank you! Appreciate the kind words. On my Grand Design they had put a tiny blue LED by the sewer outlets out back and a switch inside the wet bay so I actually re-provisioned that existing power and disconnected the tiny LED and used that power for the new lights. I plan to do a more detailed video soon, perhaps in the fall. I think your plan with the existing lights under slide sounds like a great one...the lights are so low draw on power and typically GD puts a decent thickness of wire feeding them so it is perfectly acceptable to daisy-chain and pull power there in most cases.
      And, yes I did sell the Pinnacle. Had a lovely time with it, but I'm enjoying some of the new places we can go and fit into being smaller with this travel trailer.

    • @scrub175
      @scrub175 Місяць тому

      @@AdventureRocks thank you for the detailed reply.
      I see your Amazon link had LED channel, did you use that in the install as well?

    • @AdventureRocks
      @AdventureRocks  Місяць тому +1

      @@scrub175 yes, I tried that aluminum channel this time and it really made a nice linear run front to back + extra protection ... very clean look even if most didn't see it.

    • @scrub175
      @scrub175 Місяць тому +1

      @@AdventureRocks for the outrigger braces that have narrow gaps, I’m assuming your frame is similar, did you just butt each channels edge to the outrigger or was there enough space to fit the channel in that gap?

    • @AdventureRocks
      @AdventureRocks  Місяць тому +1

      @@scrub175 Surprisingly on mine the gap was the perfect space to slide the aluminum channel...just barely enough clearance. I think it's pretty standard across frames, so hopefully it'll fit on yours too. It was a straight path, no obstacles and it came in 3ft sections so was easy to slide in a section at a time. Very clean and protected in the end.

  • @CCage007
    @CCage007 Місяць тому +1

    Great video! How did you do the trash can?

    • @AdventureRocks
      @AdventureRocks  Місяць тому

      Thank you. I probably did it the hard way as I didn't want to take out the shelf in my 21BHE and reinstall it...so cutting the hole was a little tricky. Surprisingly the Rubbermaid 7 Gal can fits perfectly in that space:
      amzn.to/3ArSKIi
      I made a pattern of the top/opening with piece of cardboard and made it about 1/2" larger on all sides. Then I traced the pattern to the shelf and used an oscillating mult-tool to cut out the opening. Same oscillating tool to gently sand the cut edges. Next I used this edging below to trim it out:
      amzn.to/3Md07px
      The edging has some metal in it that kinda "grabs" the wood and locks into the lip to make a nice smooth trimmed edge all the way around. It's not perfect as with the lower frame of the cabinet opening, you have to slightly angle the can to tip/get it out, but I just tie up the trash bag first...regular 13 gal kitchen drawstring bags work great. Anyway, hope that all makes sense. If I left out any details just let me know.

  • @christopherjackson210
    @christopherjackson210 4 місяці тому +1

    Another excellent video with many great ideas! Thank you for sharing!! Love the “if you know, you know” comment and I definitely am in the know. Bought a bunch of parts trying to rig up my own creative engineering bidet and still trying to figure out if I have all the pieces I’ll need before ripping into it. Never knew there was already one designed to fit, so that’s definitely going on the list. But first, I’m trying to find the backup camera you are using and I cannot find it (with any degree of confidence). The one on GM’s website says it does not fit my ‘24 Sierra. And, I don’t see it on your Amazon store. Could you, would you, point me in the right direction? I understand it works with the infotainment display as well? I was going crazy wondering why my lippert wireless wasn’t working properly after trading up from my last pickup until I found the many mentions of this issue being caused by their PWM power scheme. Have the harness to rectify that on the way but I’d rather have a more integrated solution. Cheers!

    • @AdventureRocks
      @AdventureRocks  3 місяці тому

      Thank you! For my 2024, the GM part I ordered is 85118298. It's my understanding there is an older, but similar looking camera for the trucks pre-2024 and they are not interchangeable. So I believe for 2024 and newer you need 85118298 and of course the pre-wired connectr on back of truck by license plate. It's pretty slick...very high resolution. I plan to do a video review on it soon. I think main thing I'd like to see change is ability to add guidance lines on the trailer camera, similar to backup lines.

    • @christopherjackson210
      @christopherjackson210 3 місяці тому

      @@AdventureRocks ohhhh, maybe that is why it says it does not fit. I do have a ‘24 but I’ll have to check for the pre-wire. I’ve not noticed anything other than the 7 and 4 way connections, but then again I wasn’t looking for anything else either. Thanks for that, much appreciated

    • @AdventureRocks
      @AdventureRocks  3 місяці тому

      @@christopherjackson210 Sure thing! Here's a close-up of the trailer cam connectors on mine just above 7-way in another video:
      ua-cam.com/video/kyb2Oblc7Uw/v-deo.htmlsi=_ZELJnC-JKeRR-hr&t=279

    • @christopherjackson210
      @christopherjackson210 3 місяці тому

      @@AdventureRocks derp…..I remember that video now. Sadly, I actually am missing those connectors I’m pretty sure. Will double check but, yeah…. Oh well, at least there is a working if ugly solution to make the furrion behave.
      Eureka! They do exist! Literally looked right at them dozens of times and what they were never registered. As my mom used to say, if it’d been a snake….. thanks again for the info!

  • @RyanPanning
    @RyanPanning 2 місяці тому +1

    Have you considered upgrading the stabilizer jacks? Or are the scissor jacks good enough? I also might need to tuck those up underneath / higher if possible, since my driveway has a hill to it... 😬

    • @AdventureRocks
      @AdventureRocks  2 місяці тому +1

      I hear you. Initially I thought about replacing them as the thought of basic scissor jacks seemed cheap to me. But, after using it 9 months I've changed and I'm quite content with them. I added snap pads to them so that I never have to add pads underneath and I actually kinda like the simplicity. I just have to keep them greased and be careful not to over-extend/raise when stabilizing. The Lippert speed jacks were the replacements I was leaning toward initially...found on some Ember units as OEM. Otherwise the more conventional electric stabilizers that have been out for a while would work, but then there's the added complexity of motors and switches.

  • @mark98070
    @mark98070 3 місяці тому +1

    Do you know who manufactured the seating under the murphy bed?
    I have an older model 21BHE that has very uncomfortable seat cushion/backrest
    that I would like to replace with what you have. Looks far more comfortable.

    • @AdventureRocks
      @AdventureRocks  3 місяці тому

      As best I can tell it is like a toy hauler jackknife sofa...just has Lippert Components listed on tag...no specific model I can see. Not sure if they list on their site, but here's a link just in case:
      www.lippert.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=murphy%20bed%20jackknife%20sofa

  • @linkfloyd4908
    @linkfloyd4908 3 місяці тому +1

    For the ceiling fan upgrades did you have to remove the sealant on the roof and then reapply?

    • @AdventureRocks
      @AdventureRocks  3 місяці тому +1

      Yes, it was a PAIN. Always a big inconvenience, but I've had to do it on pretty much every RV I've owned. Just have to take your time and carefully scrape/pull away at the old sealant without damaging the roof membrane. Typically you'll need about 1-2 tubes of lap-sealant per 14" vent, so I needed 4 total combined. And you have to use the Alpha systems sealant (instead of more common Dicor) for the Imagine XLS as they use a different membrane.

  • @mark98070
    @mark98070 3 місяці тому +2

    Does that dehumidifier run off 12 volts?

    • @AdventureRocks
      @AdventureRocks  3 місяці тому

      Mine is 120V due to compressor demands: ua-cam.com/video/btpii1mjy_s/v-deo.html
      It has WiFi connectivity so I can easily monitor while it is stored (I keep mine plugged into to shore power in storage). I would imagine we'll start seeing some better 12V dehumifiers come to market soon with advances in compressor technology though.

  • @scottwaterreit9722
    @scottwaterreit9722 27 днів тому

    Where did you get the USA state stickers on the Murphy bed? Thx!

    • @AdventureRocks
      @AdventureRocks  26 днів тому

      Thank you. I got the idea from the NoBo team as it's a factory design element on their murphy beds. I searched on Etsy and found a bunch of vendors doing similar ones, but I couldn't find any stock ones that had the right colors. Then I discovered the actual artwork itself is for sale online as vector files. So, I bought the artwork and customized the colors...then sent it to a vinyl shop to print/cut. I don't think I'm allowed to sell it, but I think I can share it with anyone if you message me privately. Then I can send you the file and name of shop that printed it for me. Unless yo usee one on Etsy you already like.

  • @tmthompson97
    @tmthompson97 2 місяці тому +1

    What kind of blu-ray player did you purchase that will play discs vertically?

    • @AdventureRocks
      @AdventureRocks  2 місяці тому +1

      Surprisingly the regular Sony mass-produced Blu-ray has been my goto for last few RVs and it works in the vertical position:
      amzn.to/4foszBY
      I kinda hold the disc in tray about 3/4 of the way on close and it plays no issues. Maybe one out of 40 discs I have to eject and re-insert, but otherwise it works fine. Thanks for asking!

    • @tmthompson97
      @tmthompson97 2 місяці тому +1

      @@AdventureRocks Thanks for the 21bhe videos. Your videos swayed me to this make and model. Take delivery next weekend.

    • @AdventureRocks
      @AdventureRocks  2 місяці тому

      @@tmthompson97 thank you! I hope all goes smoothly with your delivery.

  • @cathyrodriguez1270
    @cathyrodriguez1270 Місяць тому +1

    Would love to know about the ceiling light strips inside your trailer. Thanks for sharing all the tips.

    • @AdventureRocks
      @AdventureRocks  Місяць тому

      Thank you! Surprisingly the ceiling light strips were OEM from factory. I'm seeing more and more of them in new RVs to replace puck lights. I really like them so far. It's basically just a translucent dispersing tube with an LED strip inside. They are a cooler temp/color and it makes it very bright inside.