One of our primary goals for our 1978 Terry Travel Trailer was to improve functionality by taking advantage of technological advancements not readily available in 1978. Because our project was a renovation rather than a restoration, we were not constrained to the technology of the ’70s, which is cool because we were able to select a number of products from the Coast Distribution catalog to give the new owners of Project Terry a more enjoyable camping experience.
A tour of the exterior reveals some of the great new additions. The Husky Brute Power Jack makes hitching, disconnecting, and leveling much easier. A new propane tank rack and cover houses two larger YSN propane tanks for increased LP capacity. New Husky battery boxes double the 12-volt on-board power reserve.
Brand new on the passenger side is this trailer’s first awning. Color matched to the RV by Carefree of Colorado, this lightweight awning is the perfect size and has optional black mounting hardware.
At the rear bumper is a receiver hitch and a cargo carrier to transport the new Powerhouse inverter generator, which helps extend boon docking outings while providing power to operate 120-volt devices.
On the driver’s side, you’ll find an exterior shower from Phoenix, which provides a nice foot- and dog-washing station for active campers. A peek inside the forward storage compartment reveals a sophisticated new Xantrex Freedom HF power inverter from Schneider Electric and a power converter by WFCO Electronics.
We added several new clearance and marker lights in the process of replacing all of the exterior lights with Optronics LED fixtures and bulbs, which are brighter, longer lasting and much more energy efficient than the old ’70s incandescent bulbs.
Mounted on top of the new Dicor rubber roof is a pair of Sunforce solar panels, which are ideal for recharging the 12-volt batteries for extending outings with no electrical hookups. Behind the solar panels is a Winegard TV antenna, which can be raised and repositioned without leaving the comfort of the Travel Trailer’s all-new interior.
Also on the roof, you’ll find a new Heng’s vent with exhaust, a Coleman-Mach air conditioner, a skylight by Specialty Recreation, and a pair of 360 Siphon Fume Extractors by 360 Products Inc.
Let’s use the new steps by HSM Solutions to step inside the Travel Trailer where there’s a trailer load of more upgrades. Just inside the door, the new Coleman-Mach Thermostat operates both the Coleman-Mach air conditioner and the new Suburban furnace.
Overhead is the first of many new Arcon Lighting LED light fixtures, which provide an excellent new spectrum of interior light while putting off less heat and using little of the precious battery reserve.
Just to the left is an outstanding new bathroom with black-granite countertop, Thetford toilet, Duo-Form sink, Duo-Form shower surround, and Phoenix showerhead. Also in the bathroom are the first of many hardware upgrades on the vanity, galley, and living area cabinets, all supplied by JR Products.
The galley is supplied with a larger-capacity refrigerator-freezer by Norcold, next to the Suburban range and Heng’s range-hood exhaust. The black-granite counter top compliments the LaSalle Bristol stainless-steel kitchen sink and Phoenix faucet.
Beyond the kitchen are new cabinets and a window seat. The cabinets house a Suburban water heater and various electronic components and controls. MTI Industries provided the very important Safe-T-Alert carbon dioxide and propane detector and the Safe-T-Alert smoke detector.
ASA Electronics provided audio and video with travel-ready Jensen TV and Entertainment systems. Two of the sound system speakers live in the sofa-bed support along with the freshwater tank and the new SHURflo water pump.
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02: We connected the travel trailer to one of our pickups to test the new Optronics LED lights before sealing and mounting them to the aluminum siding.
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03: The Suburban furnace allows the installer to choose the best duct outlet locations by employing knock-outs in the furnace housing.
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04: We installed the Suburban water heater through an opening in the travel trailer exterior.
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05: We screwed wood blocks against the water heater insulation and into the floor to secure the Suburban water heater.
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06: We installed a variety of new hardware from JR Products, including hinges, struts, and cabinet knobs.
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07: We finished our install of the 360 Siphon Fume Extractor by 360 Products with a generous application of Dicor sealer.
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08: After aligning and installing the exterior vent, installing the Heng’s range hood was simply a matter of wire nuts to make the electrical connection, and four screws to attach to the wall cabinet.
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09: We installed a dozen new LED light fixtures by Arcon Lighting, improving the quality of light, decreasing heat output, and cutting back on energy use.
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10: We went down to the RV Corral in Eugene, Oregon, to get our Heng’s Industries roof vent. We sealed the vent with Dicor sealant.
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11: The new drip edge we installed along the exterior walls provided great backing for the Carefree of Colorado awning hardware.
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12: Our custom patio awning by Carefree of Colorado featured a smooth crank mechanism for deployment. The size was perfect and the color worked well with our ’70s exterior color scheme.
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13: Our new front cabinet provided a perfect home for the heart of the entertainment system -- a Jensen AM, FM, DVD, CD, USB Bluetooth Stereo from ASA Electronics.
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14: We mounted a pair of JENSEN 5-inch Dual Cone Entry Level Speakers in the carpet-covered platform, which houses the fresh water tank and supports the sofa bed.
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15: We used butyl tape to build a water reservoir to keep the specialty hole-saw cool and lubricated while we cut holes in the granite countertop for the Phoenix kitchen-sink faucet.
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16: We used simple L-brackets to mount the valances that house the custom-pleated shades by United Shade, which is a Dicor company.
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17: Anytime you tackle a major RV renovation that includes electrical, LP, and water systems, plan to have certified professionals take care of the final hookups and inspections of these systems. In the case of Project Terry, it was the crew at Charger Enterprises in Elkhart, Indiana, who ensured the lucky new owners would enjoy the peace of mind that comes knowing these critical systems up to industry standards.
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18: Horizon Transport provided cross-country transport for Project Terry. The well-engineered vehicle-transport trailer employed a winch hooked to a hitch ball to pull it onto the trailer where it was thoroughly secured. The transport trailer even included an electrical hookup, which maintained the Project Terry batteries and made use of its new Optronics marker and clearance lights.
