Legend-ary Travel: Upgrades

We bought our travel trailer in August 2023.  The 2021 252 RBLE Surveyor Legend was the perfect “couples” trailer that would allow us to easily pack up, get on the road and do some camping.  We specifically looked for a trailer that was only a few years old.  Our thought was that the kinks would be worn out and the equipment would still be newish.  We could just pack and go with little effort.  But then we fell in love and started to have fun making little upgrades to fit our needs and make her our own.  We are often asked what upgrades from the original trailer that we made do we love.  This can be difficult to say since we bought her pre-loved and the previous owners had already made a few upgrades. Here are our top 5 upgrades that the previous owners made.

TOP 5 PREVIOUS UPGRADES

1. Hitch with Anti-Sway Bars - We were thankful that the previous owners included these with the sale of the trailer saving us over $700 if we purchased it on our own. 
   
   
2. Coded Door Lock - We probably would not have known what we were missing if they hadn’t installed this on the camper.  The lock allows us to enter a code to lock and unlock the door instead of having a key in hand. Though we do need to do a better job remembering to disengage the battery when we store it for longer amounts of time. Otherwise we will be using a lot of AA batteries.
   
   
3. Hot and Cold Water Hose - There is a water connection on the outside of the camper by the refrigerator.  It was split into hot and cold and had a coil hose with a spray nozzle. It is perfect for hosing off shoes, filling the dogs water bowl and hosing off hot coals when we go to bed.
   
   
4. Rear Back Up Camera - It is a camera mounted to the back of the trailer and allows us to see what is behind us through a screen in the truck.  It is great for watching traffic and backing up.
   
   
5. TPMS System - This is a tire pressure monitoring system that allows us to check the trailer tire pressure before we leave and as we are traveling down the road, allowing us to be aware of any tire issues.  We once drove our pop up camper with a flat and didn't even know it until another driver pointed it out.  Scary situation.

We watched, and still do, a lot of YouTube videos on RV hacks and upgrades that gave us some ideas of simple and inexpensive improvements that we have implemented. Space is always an issue so determining how to use it the most effectively is the challenge.  We have only had the trailer a year so this is an issue that we have continually worked on.  Here are our top 5 favorite upgrades.

TOP 5 PERSONAL UPGRADES

1. Wire Shelving - I installed 3 wire shelves using command hooks in each of the small bedroom closets allowing us to arrange our clothes in a more organized fashion rather than one large pile of clothes.
   
   
2. Under the Bed Struts - We purchased and installed 20 inch hydraulic struts to assist in lifting the queen bed to access the storage underneath.  First we purchased the 135 pound struts.  Bigger is not better.  We laughed that the mattress wouldn't even lay flat because of the lift weight.  So we got the 60 pound ones and it was much better.  The bed lifts easily, but also lays flat. A win, win.
   
   
3. BBQ Utensil Storage - I hung our BBQ utensils inside the “outdoor” kitchen so that Bruce can have easy access to them while he is outdoor making meals on the table top Blackstone grill we purchased. The outdoor storage compartment currently contains a mini fridge so that we can easily access beverages without going into the trailer.  The utensils are a tight fit, but it solves a problem for now.
   
   
4. Bathroom Closet Shelving Unit - I placed a 4 cube cloth storage rack in the large bathroom closet to organize our towels, toiletries and swimming items.  This was a “free” add on.  I had purchased a larger cube unit for my sewing room at the house in January, but the 34 cube unit was just too big for my space.  I was very happy when it fit perfectly in closet and virtually added no extra weight to the camper.
   
   
5. Spare Tire Cover - The one that came with the trailer had dry rotted and no longer had any elastic gripping around the tire. We added a little personality and color to the back of the trailer.  I figure due to weather, this will likely have to be replaced every couple years.
   
   Reflection: I have fun updating and decorating the trailer in our style.  I have added a framed sticker map of the USA.  It highlights the states Bruce and I have visited together.  Only 15 states to go!  We are planning the visit 3, possibly 4 this fall. We also highlight our travel magnets and a few of my hiking patches as well as one of the National Park cross stitches I have done.  My oldest daughter also made us an “Adventure Awaits” cross stitch that matches the colors and the trailer decor so well people often think that the trailer came with it. As our needs change and styles change I know that there will be more upgrades in the future.  I enjoy creating a little nest for Bruce and I to take on the road.