SouthernNights
Past South Carolina Chapter Leader
One of the things that I feel Heartland could do a little better job on is in the basement area behind the wall. There HAS been a huge improvement over the last couple of years in this area but I still thought it could be a little cleaner. Not so much for looks but for any service work that might have to be performed back there.
This past January I installed a hard wired surge protector in the basement and had a heck of a time just getting back there. Once I did get in there I was pretty much stuck there until I finished. Coming out was even harder than going in and I lost what little hair I have left on just about everything I hit.
A few weeks ago, Jim B. emailed a picture of a water manifold in an SOB that he liked. It was a Viega Manabloc, model 41133. I am very familiar with Viega. We use a lot of their products in our houses but have never used the Manabloc. We had always used Sioux Chief when we used manifolds but I really like the look of the Manabloc.
Trying to make room to install the water manifold required a complete redo of the basement. Here is what was behind the wall:
BEFORE:
To start with I needed to change the location of the drain lines to gain access into the back basement. I combined the washer drain and the vanity drain to one drain and moved it over about 12".
I also had to move the shower drain to the right about 10". That is the black drain pipe in the middle of the picture. It can be seen in the last pictures. Moving the drain lines made the lines more rigid than "factory stock" so both drain lines have a piece of PVC flex between the hoding tank and PVC to allow for road vibration.
Once the lines were moved and I could get back into the back basement a little easier, I added a couple of lights.
I mounted a switch and breaker in the Battery compartment. The switch has an LED light in it so I know if the lights are on or not.
Now that I had light in the basement, I really had a good look at what else needed to be done.
The whole purpose for wanting the water manifold is two-fold.
First, I wanted "homeruns" to all the drops (faucets etc.) so that when someone was taking a shower and someone else turned on the kitchen sink, The kitchen wouldn't steal all the hot or cold water. That was definitely the main reason.
Second, is more obvious, the ability to isolate an individual circuit for repair if needed.
I mounted the water manifold at the end of the battery storage compartment.
Here:
I also supported some of the duct work.
BEFORE:
AFTER:
After all that, I can now get back into the rear basement a little easier if needed.
Finished basement:
During this process I also moved the convertor out of harms (think water leak ) way and moved the water pump to between the water heater and UDC wall.
This project was a lot of fun. I still have a few wires I would like to loom togehter but that will wait for another day. I also want to come up with a better basement wall. I have just left mine unscrewed for now but have been thinking about having a little better visibility with out moving a bunch of stuff and take down a wall.
I think HL builds a very nice trailer but still has a ways to go with attention to detail. This is not a bash on HL, but IMHO there are only a few mass produced trailers that surpass HL. Most of them are considerably more money than the Landmark. But if HL would pay attention to things unseen they would jump ahead of one or two of them very easily.
I hope this helps someone who is contemplating the same thing.
This past January I installed a hard wired surge protector in the basement and had a heck of a time just getting back there. Once I did get in there I was pretty much stuck there until I finished. Coming out was even harder than going in and I lost what little hair I have left on just about everything I hit.
A few weeks ago, Jim B. emailed a picture of a water manifold in an SOB that he liked. It was a Viega Manabloc, model 41133. I am very familiar with Viega. We use a lot of their products in our houses but have never used the Manabloc. We had always used Sioux Chief when we used manifolds but I really like the look of the Manabloc.
Trying to make room to install the water manifold required a complete redo of the basement. Here is what was behind the wall:
BEFORE:
To start with I needed to change the location of the drain lines to gain access into the back basement. I combined the washer drain and the vanity drain to one drain and moved it over about 12".
I also had to move the shower drain to the right about 10". That is the black drain pipe in the middle of the picture. It can be seen in the last pictures. Moving the drain lines made the lines more rigid than "factory stock" so both drain lines have a piece of PVC flex between the hoding tank and PVC to allow for road vibration.
Once the lines were moved and I could get back into the back basement a little easier, I added a couple of lights.
I mounted a switch and breaker in the Battery compartment. The switch has an LED light in it so I know if the lights are on or not.
Now that I had light in the basement, I really had a good look at what else needed to be done.
The whole purpose for wanting the water manifold is two-fold.
First, I wanted "homeruns" to all the drops (faucets etc.) so that when someone was taking a shower and someone else turned on the kitchen sink, The kitchen wouldn't steal all the hot or cold water. That was definitely the main reason.
Second, is more obvious, the ability to isolate an individual circuit for repair if needed.
I mounted the water manifold at the end of the battery storage compartment.
Here:
I also supported some of the duct work.
BEFORE:
AFTER:
After all that, I can now get back into the rear basement a little easier if needed.
Finished basement:
During this process I also moved the convertor out of harms (think water leak ) way and moved the water pump to between the water heater and UDC wall.
This project was a lot of fun. I still have a few wires I would like to loom togehter but that will wait for another day. I also want to come up with a better basement wall. I have just left mine unscrewed for now but have been thinking about having a little better visibility with out moving a bunch of stuff and take down a wall.
I think HL builds a very nice trailer but still has a ways to go with attention to detail. This is not a bash on HL, but IMHO there are only a few mass produced trailers that surpass HL. Most of them are considerably more money than the Landmark. But if HL would pay attention to things unseen they would jump ahead of one or two of them very easily.
I hope this helps someone who is contemplating the same thing.
I like the idea of the light behind the walls. I've got my access panels, but even with a flashlight, it's hard to see anything in there. Another project is born.
