RE: Coleman Utah Mods?

[The Overmans]

 
Have Coleman 2002 UTAH
 What kind of Modifications have anyone done to this model and why?  Looking for ways to increase storage, livabiltiy and convienence.[]

[wynot]

 The Overmans
Not much-
 
 Gaucho gone.
 
 Replaced with 3 permanent Sterilite drawers (screwed down) with a melamine board on top that serves as a counter.  Microwave on counter.  Left enough space on the old gaucho location that it has a single seat next to the drawers.  6 outlet switched extension run to area.
 
 Toilet paper holder mounted on cover back.  Hook for trash bag mounted on cover back.
 
 3 Sterilite drawers on cabinent with furnace.  TV on top.
 
 3 tier hanging basket from A/C support.
 
 Drawer under gaucho replaced with hinges and made into a cabinent.  Put shoes in there when camping, and the grey water and trash can when packed.
 
 Subdivided trunk around water heater to store hoses, wires, etc.
 
 1/4"  extension cords run to power auxilary lighting behind head when reading in bed.  Also on awning.
 
 Wall to wall carpeting.
 
 Wire baskets under sink cabinet.
 
 Sterilite drawers under dinette for canned goods, etc.
 
 Paper towels slid over shepherd s crook in dinette popout.
 
 Folding cooler legs support an auxilary work table outside at cooktop.  4ft melamine board on top of this.
 
 Artificial grass.
 
 Antiskid strips on stepper door.  Rope lights for tacky lights strung through zip tie loops on awning.
 
 2d 12 V battery on tongue.  Voltmeter in camper.
 
 Like I said, not much.

[bearbait]

 The Overmans
---

[kathybrj]

 The Overmans
We added a frige fan and did a porta potty cabinet mod.
 
 http://community.webshots.com/album/46136783mzdLUn
 
 That s about it. The Utah is THE camper we wanted and, for us, it didn t need much in the way of changes.

[Ab Diver]

 The Overmans
First off-  I see this is your first post. Welcome to PUT!!!
 
 There are a lot of different mods to choose from, but not all will fit your style of camping. And since you have a 2002 Coleman, some will not be necessary since Coleman has already made the upgrade (like replacing that tiny plastic mixer faucet with a riser faucet).
 
 The  02 Utah has a listed cargo capacity of 965 lbs, but like Lee said, that can shrink rapidly. So you can t bring your anvil collection with you unless it rides in the tow vehicle. The trick is figuring out how to make the most of the storage room available. As for " livability and convenience" , you ll have to be the judge as to how each mod fits the bill.  Others will have a different mod list for their trailer and/or this floorplan, but here s mine.
 
 Current mods (with stars for difficulty vs. benefit ratio, 5 is best):
 
 Dexter Lift kit and 14"  wheels. ***
 Dual 6V batteries *****
 Divider wall in front storage compartment ***
 Reinforced Gaucho support *****
 Reinforced dinette seat support ****
 Added dinette underseat storage access doors *****
 20-foot outside shower hose, quick disconnect fittings ***
 Taller (metal) mixer faucet *****
 Metal free-flowing sink drain ****
 Air-vent outside drain funnel ****
 Replace water tank plugs with ball valves *****
 Remove " wardrobe"  and " folding shelf"  ****
 Added Sterilite stackable drawers for wardrobe and folding shelf locations *****
 Adhesive/screwed levels on outside of trailer *****
 Taller, stronger tongue jack ***
 Coffee-can awning bases***
 
 Proposed list for this year:
 
 Extra shelf(s) on side of trailer next to outside stove
 Fridge fan
 Power cord disconnect
 Guacho: large lift-up access door under cushion
 
 Dream mod:
 
 " Inside-outside access"  pass-through 3-way fridge
 
 That s all I can think of right now, gotta go to work. Hope this helps, and again: Welcome!

[The Overmans]

 The Overmans
Thanks for the input!  I have some questions about what benifit you achieved.
 1st.  What is a Gaucho?
 2nd.  Do you have a website showing all your Mods so that it might give me an idea how how to duplicate what you did?  
 
 
 Thanks
 
 The Overmans
 

[Red neff Barchetta]

 The Overmans
I ve seen your thread for the last few days but have been so busy with work I ve barely had time to post in our camping section.  Now I have to pack for our rally (with Ab Diver!) this w/e, but thought I would make a quick post.  I will make a more thorough post next week.
 We absolutely love our Utah!!!!  It is one of the purchases we have made over the years that we have very few regrets.  One day we will move on to a Hybrid, but for now, the Utah is perfect for us as it has everything but an inside shower which we did not want anyway.
 This will be kind of a free flowing list since I ve got to run;
 
 Love our PahaQue (sp.?) outside shower tent - added a second hose ($8.00) to the shower so we now have more than enough to get through the top of the tent.  We position the PU so the tent is not in full view of the CG (campground).  I bought 4  x 4  of restaraunt relief fatigue mats for the floor so our feet don t get muddy.
 
 Front trunk - Moved the stove location to the other side.  Built a brace/frame around the water heater so things wont bump into it or the water lines when travelling.  Fixed the outside access door so it can remain unlocked without your keys!  This mod. was free and took about 15 seconds.  See Y-Guys link below.
 
 Re-enforced the gaucho (couch, which is what we call it).  We love having the couch although it is pretty skinny.  Our simple solution was to take the back rest cushions and put then between the wall (with window) and the back of the seat cushion.  It makes the back rest very low, but works for us.  Also, having the seat cushion pulled out that much farther gives us a great place to store the shoes (1 pair each) at night and the dogs water bowl at night.
 
 We have plastic containers that we put on the shelf above the heater.  We call this our dresser.  If we all are camping then we take all 4 with us.  So much better than duffel bags and clothes stay clean and neat.  If it is a trip where we (gasp) bring our 9"  tv.dvd combo set, then it sits on top of the dresser.  We have a low profile plastic bin for the rest of the pairs of swim shoes, boots, flip flops, etc... that fits under the PU outside.
 
 We store our square folding table (for outside under the awning) under one of the mattresses when popped down.
 
 Sorry I have to go, but we have made changes to the ventilation for the sink, full hook-up sewer connection, etc...
 
 The Utah is terrific!  Have fun.  Mod s are just things that you change so your PU works well for you.
 
 Have fun and don t forget those stabilizers after you raise the roof!
 
 Almost forgot Y-Guys link where I got a few of my ideas.  He s also great to camp with!
 http://home.attbi.com/~popupcamping/popupmods.htm

[Ab Diver]

 The Overmans
The guacho is the pull-out sofa. Don t ask me why they didn t call it that. [&:]
 
 Web site: who-- me, Lee, or wynot? Can t speak for the others, but I don t--- yet. Although I ve been threatening to get a webshots page, or something like it, I dunno if I have the courage. I m so " puter-phobic"  I still can t figure out why the little punchy thingy (keyboard?) doesn t read A-B-C-D-E-, etc.  from left to right like my grade school blackboard. []
 
 Ok, I post and find R-N-B stopped by. Just a quick post, eh? (hehehe) See you in about 36 hours, Red!

[bearbait]

 The Overmans
---

[The Overmans]

 The Overmans
Another question that I have is what does adding a refrigerator fan do?  Does it keep the frig from freezing up or does it allow the frig to get items inside colder?
 
 

[kathybrj]

 The Overmans
The exterior fan keeps the coils cool, in turn, keeping the refrigerator cooler and the things inside cooler.

[The Overmans]

 kathybrj
I went to the website that showed the portapoty modification.   That was really good work!  Do you have pictures and information on the fan installation?

[kathybrj]

 The Overmans
All the mods we did on our Sedona and on the Utah are on this page:
 
 http://kathybrj.tripod.com/Off_The_Ground/id3.html
 
 If you scroll to the bottom, you ll see the Radio Shack fan mounted infront of the coils.
 
 

[wynot]

 The Overmans

2nd. Do you have a website showing all your Mods so that it might give me an idea how how to duplicate what you did?

 For mine, you have to go camping with us.  I didn t realize what mods I had done until I was listing them and still forgot some.
 
 There s at least one camping family who I imagine are still shaking their heads about what we have changed...

[jdr]

 The Overmans
Hi all,
 
 We ve also done a few improvements to our Utah.  The most aggressive though was the permanent indoor bathroom with a shower & electric potty.  Feel free to check out our pics..
 
 We have a front storage box, slide-out dinette, two king bunks, slide-out couch/bed, indoor bathroom with shower & potty, and of course heat & a/c.  What else could we want?