What Upgrades To Do In Elkhart Area? - Montana Owners Club

DCB · 05-19-2023, 02:22 PM

Just brainstorming... I will be traveling near Elkhart in a couple weeks. Hadn't planned to take my Monty, as it's just a short road trip. But I COULD piggy-back onto the trip and extend it if there's an opportunity to get some upgrades from one of the many suppliers in the Elkhart area.

Have you traveled through the Elkhart area and had upgrades done? If so, what have you done?

I realize this is a short time-frame to get on their schedules, so it may not work out. But, we'll see...

**DQDick** · 05-20-2023, 08:50 AM

Every Monty we've had we've taken there to have Moryde install independent suspension and disk brakes. We've also taken our 2017 to Bradd and Hall to have the space where we removed the rear sofa converted into a large desk for craft projects. We also had a Traveler antenna installed there on one rig. You can find someone there to do anything.

DCB · 05-20-2023, 09:15 AM

Thanks for the input, Dick!

Daryles · 05-20-2023, 06:05 PM

Maybe go to JC Refrigeration and convert the RV fridge to a 12vdc compressor fridge (if you have an RV fridge).

Byron B · 05-24-2023, 04:10 PM

We have an appointment on August 17 for disc brakes and independent suspension at MoreRyde. Appointment was made 9 months ago to fit it into our travel schedule.
I second the motion that you can find someone in Elkhart to do pretty much anything you want done on an Rv. How deep are your pockets?😁😁😁

VagabondLove · 05-24-2023, 04:21 PM

MorRyde I/S with disc brakes and 8K axles...best decision I made for the monty ever.

mhs4771 · 05-24-2023, 04:30 PM

We're on number 3 Fifthwheel and all have gotten IS and Disc Brakes. I'm not sure if I would even pull a small TT without those mods.

DutchmenSport · 05-24-2023, 08:20 PM

I don't call anything and "upgrade", as I've never swapped out anything factory installed for something else. But, I have done lots and lots of changes to my Montana. But, every one I've done was done based on a need we had, rather than just making a change to make a change.

We've added the washing machine and dryer, awnings, lights, moved light switches, removed carpeting and replaced with laminate flooring, fixed flimsy shelves, fixed the Coloplast and sealed it in, lots of calking, screws, and plugged up holes and gaps with Foamy Stuff and other types of expanding spray foam. I've had tires changed out after a blowout (in my opinion, that WAS an upgrade and a price tag to go with it), new mattress on the bed, dozens of Command hooks, rebuilt the closet doors to make all 4 panels sliding, removed the shower glass doors and replaced with a curtain (is that a down-grade), but it simplified our life and solved a problem with the glass doors. I added an outside shower so we have water on both sides of the camper on the outside, supports for shelves, fixed problems with the stove, and several exterior wall scratches and bumps. AND, more I can't remember at the moment.

Point is, everything done to our camper, I did mostly myself (except the bent axle problem) and everything done beyond factory install was done based on individual preference and need. The need was to make my camping experience better, because the original minimum design was lacking the functionality I wanted and needed.

To simply make changes or get upgrades for the sake of doing them, is like the new RVer who goes out and buys all kinds of RV related camping gear, supplies, tools, dishes, and yard furniture, just to never use any of it or eventually sell that stuff or get rid of it and replace all the "stuff" with those things they actually need and use. This takes time to figure out.

So, if you have a specific "need" to make a change or do any kind of "upgrade" then by all means, get it scheduled and get it done. If you do not have any specific items on your own improvement or change list, then why make changes for the sake of just making changes?

If you have a need for for some work on your camper, you know it and it will drive you batty until it gets done. If everything is satisfactory and you are comfortable with the current status of your camper, then why change anything.

Byron B · 05-25-2023, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VagabondLove

MorRyde I/S with disc brakes and 8K axles...best decision I made for the monty ever.

Why did you go to the 8k axles from 7K? I have been wrestling with that. Did you get to use the same wheels and tires?

77cruiser · 05-25-2023, 08:20 AM

They wouldn't put 8K on mine so I got 7K.

Byron B · 05-25-2023, 09:01 AM

What reasoning did they give you?

Dan50 · 05-25-2023, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 77cruiser

They wouldn't put 8K on mine so I got 7K.

Why not?

Billyj571 · 05-25-2023, 11:17 AM

What’s the cost for IS an already have 7k and disc breaks ???

77cruiser · 05-25-2023, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan50

Why not?

Trailer wasn't big enough I guess.

VagabondLove · 05-26-2023, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Byron B

Why did you go to the 8k axles from 7K? I have been wrestling with that. Did you get to use the same wheels and tires?

After weighing, we found out we were very close to the 7K limit. After waaayyy too many leaf spring failures on the 7K, bumping up to 8K brought us peace of mind. We did get to upgrade our tires and rims too. I do not know how much your rig weighs, but we are hovering around 18K...it is our full-time house, and we move weekly (typically)...getting stranded is not really an option.

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