Passport 217exp - Modification Summary

This journey with our Passport 217exp all started back in August 2015, when we traded in our first Popup and took delivery.  A sad, and exciting, day all at the same time.  Since then I continue to tinker on the camper making things better for us as this is our long term solution for camping.  One Bed, Two Beds, Three Beds,.. so much flexibility for my wife and I, or all the kids, or kids and friends.

To see the modifications we have done to the 217, you can click thru the history on the right side of the page, or you can follow each link here below to go directly.  If you hold the CTRL key when you click on the link it will open in a new tab so you don't lose this page.

1. Why we chose the 217
2. Pre-purchase Inspection Findings
3. Basic Initial Additions - Battery Disconnect, Reverse Lights Part 1, Other basics
4. New Additions - Door Handle, Oven Cover, Electrical Trick, Awning Support, LP Switch Access
5. Winterizing Tips - Using Air to blow out the lines
6. Rear Hatch Strut - No more holding up with your Head!
7. Backup Lights - Part 2 - Wheel Well LEDs when in Reverse 
8. Popup Gizmos for the bunks to keep them cooler and cleaner
9. Kitchen Backsplash with super easy sticky tile from Home Depot
10. Kitchen Outlet and Fantastic Fan Installation
11.  MaxAir Vent Cover on Fantastic Fan
12. Black and Grey Flush Tank Kits - A very nice addition for that 'job'
13. Pantry LED lights, just 5 minutes! and $17
14. Boogie Lights LED Awning Light system
15. Plumbing fixture upgrades - Bathroom and Kitchen

So,... what will I think of next  :-)

Plumbing Fixture Upgrades

Reasons for upgrading,.... we will be keeping this camper for the long haul,... haha,.. get it!?  And little investments like this will be nice to have.  The bathroom sink drove everyone crazy with the short spout it just made it difficult to really wash up or even brush your teeth.  Many times we have talked about replacing that.  The kitchen was more of a finish factor than a need.  The tall bent spout was loose and couldn't be tightened, at least that I could figure out.  It was made of plastic and definitely wasn't going to last for many years to come.  So, once we found a faucet that we liked for the bathroom we used that as a basis for the finish and form of the kitchen.

Bathroom Sink, notice the short spout

Kitchen

Bathroom was a simple upgrade as it was installed with PEX threaded connectors which are standard for faucets.  Reaching up behind the basin, I could just undo these and then reach the threaded on clamp rings for the faucet.  Undo those, and out came the old fixture.  A few minutes later after cleaning the counter the new fixture fit right into the standard holes and I could just thread on the new bracket and then re-connect the thread on PEX lines.  Literally it only took about 10 minutes total.

The kitchen would take a little longer.  The fixture that we have in the camper already was similar to the bathroom with thread on connections, but the new fixture we purchased had the need for a 3/8" compression fitting.  Since I have done the plumbing in my house I had two 1/4 turn shut off valves already for PEX and the output was the standard 3/8",... coincidence!  So, rather than type it out here I have a short video showing the final configuration for this installation.

Water connected and everything tested,... no leaks.  We will get a better review of this upgrade on our next trip in June after the kids are out of school.  Hard to believe another school year is nearing completion already.

2017 - Trip #1 - Little Red Barn, Quakertown, PA

Hooray!!  First weekend outing with the family and the camper is now completed!  We made a short hop with the camper over to a favorite little spot when we had our popup, Little Red Barn Campground.  This used to be a tent camping facility and the owners have made some improvements over the years to get it better situated for RVs and even some Class As.  But, be sure to bring along an extra 25' water hose or electric line to supplement your normal setup, as many of the sites still have crossed services making you scratch your head for where to place your camper for the best fit to both services.

Standing on Site 74, looking at our site on 73.  Needed 50' of water hose this time.

We were on one of the pull thru sites, #73 this time, which makes you face back the other direction when in line with the other campsites.  This is a little odd, but this time we didn't have anyone on 74 which we would have been directly facing.  #72 is a big pull thru for the larger campers which was also vacant for this weekend.  Setup was rather easy as the site was pretty flat and only required boards under the door side and the height front to back was just right after cranking up off the truck hitch.  Winds were light, so we could leave the awning open and hang our globe light, but more importantly give the LED awning a try.  WOW, those things are BRIGHT!  Since we faced towards other campers I toned them down a few clicks and put on a nice light blue.

The Night Setup 

First Camp S'Mores of the season!  New table with drink holders and Hershey's S'More box!

 Saturday was a relaxing morning and the girls made some new friends at the site a few down from us.  A family new to camping with two daughters.  We all went to the craft for the day which was Pine Cars for the Pine Car Derby later in the evening.  Just the basic kit, the wedges or blocks could be painted and wheels assembled, but to our girls they still thought it was cool.  They each did one car with their own characteristic style.

Ally's Croc, Madie's Snoopy Racer, Bella's #23 (year she graduates)

 After craft, we let all the kids play together again and the dad and I threw some washers while the ladies talked a little.  Found out, he worked for the airlines managing some of the ground crews for nearly 19 years, and he had 17 hrs in training for his Private Pilot before his kids came along.  We chatted a little about aviation and my current flying gig, the Paramotor.  Then, the kids made some noise and came running over saying Ally caught it!  What?  A Frog,... a big frog!  She named him "Bob", which is her current must name everything name.

Internet, Meet Bob.

Shortly after dinner it was time to go and race against the other kids in the Pine Car Derby.  A few rounds of racing in the bracket and the numbers were dwindling.  Bella was called again to race and we found out she won 3rd Place!!  For the one that wasn't super excited, she was now!

Our Globe Light with Camper inserts

Finally a good picture of Rob!

Bella is starting to like Cooking

Each season gets off to a different start.  Sometimes we have everything together and even some extras, and others,... well, we need to make a list.  Becky thought it would be fun to remind me that I forgot the bedding on our trip to Assateague two years ago and we had to purchase it all at Walmart.  At least we did with the new camper colors in mind.  So, here is our list to pack for next trip, where we will be in the woods of Lancaster PA for 4 nights.

Only a few things  :-)

Till next time,...

Happy Camping!