Power's Pioneer DS310 thread

[Power247]

Thought I would start a thread dedicated to the different projects (and repairs) we perform on our new Pioneer. Much more to come!!

Greg

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[Power247]

Re: Power's DS310 thread

We recently traded in our 2012 Jayco 267bhs for a 2016 Pioneer DS310. We never had any trouble out of our Jayco, we just needed more space.

There are so many things we love about this floorplan... the electric awning & stabilizer jacks and outdoor kitchen struck high marks for me and DW. The separate bunkhouse room was a huge selling point for DD x2. We are looking forward to many years of happy memories in our new Pioneer.

Here's a few pics from the first few days of ownweship.

 

[Power247]

Re: Power's DS310 thread

Our first trip out with our new Pioneer we found the ducted AC to perform very poorly in the bunkhouse room. While not from the same line of camper.... the info and pics in the Big Horn section helped me find and repair several gaps between the roof mounted AC unit and the forward and rear ducts.

Before

After

*** Update on the AC fix***
Finally had a chance to test the AC fix last weekend and man what a difference. Significantly more air volume coming out of the vent in the rear bunkhouse.
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[Power247]

Re: Power's DS310 thread

Added a few mods last summer.

Reinforced the base of the sliding carrier to better support our bikes

Made some brackets to hold the 4x6 blocks

Replaced the main entry steps with Torklift Glowstep Revolution steps.

Added some gas shocks to the lower bunk, the master bed and the cabinet doors over the couch.

Greg
2012 | RAM 2500 | CCSB | Custom tuned by Double R Diesel
2016 | Heartland Pioneer | DS310

 

[BrannonB]

Re: Power's DS310 thread

Nice mods. I have been looking at some struts for the rear bunk as well as master bed and over sofa storage too. So many little things that you can do that make the biggest differences. I still have to pull down the AC cover to see how my duct taping looks. Seeing yours has me curious about mine.

 

[jbeletti]

Looking good Greg! Thanks for sharing your mods with pics.

 

[Power247]

Re: Power's DS310 thread

Nice mods. I have been looking at some struts for the rear bunk as well as master bed and over sofa storage too. So many little things that you can do that make the biggest differences. I still have to pull down the AC cover to see how my duct taping looks. Seeing yours has me curious about mine.

Thanks! It's the little things that make such a difference.

For the beds, I didn't plan to use several smaller struts but did since I had them on hand. I like that they do not get in the way when the kids are getting stuff in and out. Worked out well.

Up front I opted for 1 large strut on the off door side to assist lifting the master bed. Also added an extra hinge on that side for stability since the single strut was causing the bed platform to twist. I will get some pics next time I get by the camper, hopefully this weekend.

Greg
2012 | RAM 2500 | CCSB | Custom tuned by Double R Diesel
2016 | Heartland Pioneer | DS310

 

[Power247]

Looking good Greg! Thanks for sharing your mods with pics.

Thanks !!

Greg
2012 | RAM 2500 | CCSB | Custom tuned by Double R Diesel
2016 | Heartland Pioneer | DS310

 

[Dogwoodfarms]

How do you like the stairs you installed?

 

[Power247]

How do you like the stairs you installed?

Love them! Very sturdy and easy to deploy and get level. I won't have another camper without them.

Greg
2012 | RAM 2500 | CCSB | Custom tuned by Double R Diesel
2016 | Heartland Pioneer | DS310

 

[Dogwoodfarms]

I saw these when picking my 5th wheel up from the dealership. I was curious to their sturdiness vs the moride stairs. I do like how these don't block the doorway. We full time it and i plan on building stairs on our deck while at home base. The moride stairs would get in the way. These seem like they would be a better option.

 

[Power247]

I saw these when picking my 5th wheel up from the dealership. I was curious to their sturdiness vs the moride stairs. I do like how these don't block the doorway. We full time it and i plan on building stairs on our deck while at home base. The moride stairs would get in the way. These seem like they would be a better option.

We looked at both options and both are significantly more sturdy than the factory step. We decided on the Glow Steps because of the fact that they can still be deployed in tights spaces and stow away in the same space as the factory steps.

Greg
2012 | RAM 2500 | CCSB | Custom tuned by Double R Diesel
2016 | Heartland Pioneer | DS310

 

[Power247]

Last weekend I added a set of BAL Lock Arms to the rear stabilizers to try to take some if the shake out of the camper when the girls are back in the bunkhouse. I had to make some bracket extensions to tie to the frame due to the way the slide tray rails are mounted.

Greg
2012 | RAM 2500 | CCSB | Custom tuned by Double R Diesel
2016 | Heartland Pioneer | DS310

 

[johnboy105]

Hey Greg, for the cabinet doors over the couch shocks - do you remember the length you used? I want to do this exact same thing to my DS320.

 

[Power247]

Hey Greg, for the cabinet doors over the couch shocks - do you remember the length you used? I want to do this exact same thing to my DS320.

They are 7" gas struts from Amazon.

Greg
2012 | RAM 2500 | CCSB | MM3 tuned by Double R Diesel
2016 | Heartland Pioneer | DS310

 

[johnboy105]

They are 7" gas struts from Amazon.

Greg
2012 | RAM 2500 | CCSB | MM3 tuned by Double R Diesel
2016 | Heartland Pioneer | DS310

Awesome, thanks!

 

[BrannonB]

How to you like the extra leg stabilizers? I've been looking at them for a while. Also looking at adding a set of manual scissor jacks mid way to help take a little bounce out.

 

[Power247]

How to you like the extra leg stabilizers? I've been looking at them for a while. Also looking at adding a set of manual scissor jacks mid way to help take a little bounce out.

They did help stabilize the back of the camper and were worth the purchase. I think adding scissor jacks just in front of the tires would help a lot too though. Interested in your review if you go that route.

Greg
2012 | RAM 2500 | CCSB | MM3 tuned by Double R Diesel
2016 | Heartland Pioneer | DS310

 

[BrannonB]

They did help stabilize the back of the camper and were worth the purchase. I think adding scissor jacks just in front of the tires would help a lot too though. Interested in your review if you go that route.

Greg
2012 | RAM 2500 | CCSB | MM3 tuned by Double R Diesel
2016 | Heartland Pioneer | DS310[/QUOTE


I did a trial with some bottle jacks i already had. Besides the jacks leaking down and needing to be pumped back up every day or so it almost made the rig rock solid. Major benefit if you ask me to install jacks at the axles.