First, lets get the bad stuff out of the way. In the main coach area, there is a Furrion 32" TV. I find the Furrion a very inferior product compared to other brands out there. On one of our trips, this TV lost all video capability. Returning home, we took the FR3 to a local dealer to get the TV replaced. It took almost 4 weeks for a new one to arrive at the shop, and once it arrived, I removed the old TV and swapped it out at the repair shop with the new one. I wanted to install the TV myself, since I knew I could do it better than they could. Well, of course, the new 32" Furrion did not quite fit the mounting brackets that held the old 32" TV. So after some drilling and rearranging, I got it mounted and working.
One of the common problems with the FR3's is a leaky windshield. Mine of course, had this same problem. So when I took the FR3 into the local dealer for the TV replacement, I had them fix the windshield as well. They told me that they were going to have a regular windshield company out to seal the windshield, but once I returned to get the FR3, I found out that the local mechanic just sloppily applied caulking around the top. Crappy job, so once I got it home, I cleaned the mess off the windshield myself. The only positive thing is that the windshield has not leaked since.
The last problem I had the dealer fix was the windshield wipers. Apparently the driver side wiper needed some tightening and it is now working as intended.
Another problem that we have not taken in for fixing, and it is too late now, is that the aluminum strip that is on the side of the window above the couch came loose off the glass itself. Looks like it is press fit onto the glass via a rubber strip. Try as I might, I cannot get it all the way on. So at the moment we have to be very careful opening that window.
So much for the bad stuff. Now, the enhancements we have done. Note a lot of these have come from reading the forums and seeing the enhancements other folks have done.....
One of the first things I added was a chrome valve extension kit to the rear duallys. I took the FR3 into a truck tire shop and had these put on the rear tires. These are more reliable and more sturdy than the flexible valve extensions that came on the rear tires. I then ordered a Tire Safeguard TPMS system that would monitor the tire pressure and temperature of all 6 tires of the motorhome, plus an additional fours tires on my toad. Don't leave home without it.
The second upgrade we added was a 7" pedestal for the driver seat instead of the 10" that comes standard. This lowered the drivers seat 3" making the driving a heck of a lot more comfortable.
Lately we have replaced the king size 7" thick mattress that came in the bedroom with a very nice queen size Posturepedic. Much more comfortable.
We have converted the broom closet that is located just as you walk into the door to a 5 shelf pantry. We have also added shelves to the bathroom cabinets and the kitchen cabinet next to the 32" TV.
We picked up some Elfa shelving and converted both bedroom closets into something more usable. The hanger rod is a bit lower, with a shelf above for storage baskets.
After driving over 12,000 miles in this 'truck', we finally decided to try to smooth out the ride. Some of the roads we have traveled were horrendous. So taking the advice of the good folks on the FR3 Forest River forum, we ordered the Koni front shocks and a Safe-T-Plus front stabilizer. The shocks for comfort and the stabilizer for safety. I hope to get them all installed this weekend, and get her out for a test drive.
Additionally, I installed a GoPower TS-30 Transfer switch so I could easily transfer power between shore power and generator without having to always plug the 30-amp power cable into the generator plug. The only outstanding work is to try and figure out how to add in the SurgeGuard Power protector into this setup.
For some odd reason, the 'engineers' at Forest River, if that is a good name for them, decided to add only one air conditioner on this 30' coach. They also did not install any fans in the ceiling, but I have to give some credit for at least adding pre-wiring for them. So, my next project will be to add something like a Fantastic-Fan so we can get some air flow on the days we do not need the A/C.
We also added some foam padding in between the ceiling and the roof where the air vents blew into dead space at the front and the rear of the coach. It was relatively easy to pop out the plastic air vents on the ceiling, add foam padding, and then pop the vents back on.
We added dark windshield tint to all the windows to help block out the sun's heat. We also bought a roll of R21 unfaced Reflective roll Insulation and cut to size for each of the windows. This really helped to cut down on the sun's heat during the day.
As others have done, we also added wire to the front grill to keep out rocks and such from destroying the radiator. I also like the look.
Wife wanted backsplash, so we added backsplash behind the stove and in the bathroom. Also added some decorative tiles to the overhead bed frmae that faces the coach all day long. I would much rather just remove the overhead bed and get rid of it. I just can't figure out how to remove it.....
The dinette seats have storage under them, but getting to the items stored is a chore. So we built a drawer and mounted it on rails to make it much easier to retrieve the stored items.
Overall, we are pleased with this FR3. Hindsight makes me wish I had waited tho to buy one with a few more amenities that other coaches have. Of course, they would have been a bit more. But this coach did not come with:
- Black Tank Flush
- Ceiling fans, not even in the bathroom
- Transfer Switch
These are some of the things we were used to from much less costly travel trailers. But after a year of driving this beast towing our 2014 Jeep Cherokee, we have had a blast, and hope for many miles to come.
