AHEAD OF IT'S TIME.

by SDW
(Frisco, Tx.)

After many years of research for a rig we could live in. We picked an AMERICANA. It was so far ahead of all the rest of the manufacturers it was a no-brain'er.

Our 2007 37 ft Americana 5'ver came standard with stuff that is just now being offered on other rigs. Now take into consideration that this was back in 2007 that it came with all the exterior lights were led.

It came with a tankless water heater, porcelain toilet, Trailair airbag hitch, airbag suspension, on board air compressor,4 wheel disc brakes, G rated 16 inch tires, 2000 watt inverter, and a solar system.

The frame has weld beads running the length of it to resist twisting, & flexing. It came with double pane windows also.

The airbag suspension eliminates the need to carry boards or blocks for leveling. Just let the air out of one side and put air in the other side to level.

Now here's what i've done to customize an already custom rig.

I changed out the interior 12 volt lights for led's.

I kept the one solar panel but added an AM SOLAR system of 6 panels and 4, 300 amp AGM batteries.

I installed a 24 inch Vizio tv over the bed. I built a side out tray in the washer dryer closet mounted a 110/12 volt freezer. Below that is a slideout garbage can.

I built a sliding water hose reel that's mounted on the ceiling of the basement to save space for the 100 ft of water hose we carry.

Even though I've used extension ladders for 20 years. I don't like the one that comes on rv's. It's not that i mind getting up from one. It's reaching down to my ankles to get a hold of the ladder to get down. So i built a box and mounted it under the front of the fifth wheel that houses a 15 ft telescoping ladder.

15 ft when all the way open, and 3 ft when all the way closed. I can just extend the ladder to 3 ft above the roof and just step off on the roof, and step onto the ladder to get down. (much safer).

The on board 12 volt air compressor fills a 3 gal reserve tank with a connection to attach a hose to the tank on it.

I bought a retractable 50 ft air hose reel at Walmart for $50 bucks and mounted it next to the tank. Now i can fill the tires on the truck or rig, or the air bags on the truck, or the airbag hitch.

I installed 12 volt led colored lighting under the rig for night time ambiance.

I've installed a rearview camera, and a camera on the left and right side, so i can see if I'm about to run over something when backing up.

I have a rearview mirror that's also a monitor for the rear camera, and two small monitors mounted on the dash on either side of the steering wheel for the side cameras. These also assist when changing lanes.