Sometimes the most simple mods make a huge difference. For the June Super Mod Cup Contest we serve up 10 of simple and clever mods that anyone, anywhere, at any time can do. Simply brilliant!
Welcome to the June 2017 Super Cup Monthly Mod Contest. Please review the following ten Mini-Mods and vote for your favorite. We will announce the winner next week. For more information about the Monthly Mod Contest, including how to enter, click here.
Click here to vote for your favorite three mods from this month’s contest.
1. Steven Sternberg, New London, Wisconsin
Shoe Storage and Organization
2013 Chevy 2500HD
2012 Palomino Maverick 8801
I have added stick on Command hooks for a shoe rack because I wanted easy shoe storage. The shoe rack is for stationary use.
It took me five minutes to complete this modification and cost me $15. In my opinion, the skill level of this modification is easy.
2. John Tseka, Hartland, Connecticut
Protecting Rocker Switches
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD
2012 Lance 850
Our Lance Camper switches are in the access area to the cabover bunk, so they got bumped occasionally. This simple mod will stop accidentally bumping rocker switches on or off.
I bent some 1/4-inch tubing and welded a couple of feet on for screws. To simplify, go to Home Depot and look for drawer pulls which will span your switches. Also, the pulls need to extend enough so you can operate the switches.
Caution: Check to make sure there is no wiring or plumbing behind the screw locations and use screws short as possible to prevent getting poked when reaching in the cabinet.
This mini-mod works well. Problem solved! It took me about 10 minutes to complete this modification and cost me a few dollars. In my opinion, the skill level of this modification is super simple easy.
3. Mike Tassinari, Peabody, Massachusetts
Outdoor Movie Screen
2002 Ford F350
2016 Lance 1172
We like to show outdoor movies at rallies and other truck camper events. I have a movie projector and some wireless speakers that I set up outside on the picnic table.
I have made a movie screen using a non-fitted white sheet (that I borrowed from Ray and Brenda) and stuck to my awning using some blue painter’s tape. You may need a ladder or step stool to put up the screen.
It worked like a charm! All you need is a white sheet and the side of your camper! In my opinion, the skill level of this modification is easy.
4. Peter Hampl, Gig Harbor, Washington
Cheap Food Storage Containers
2010 Ford F150
2017 Northstar TC650
We are new to truck campers. We took delivery of our 2017 Northstar TC 650 in November 2016. We needed a way to store more stuff and food.
For those of you that shop at Costco, you know that many of their products come in square plastic containers.
Above: Canister just bought from Costco
For example, we get mixed nuts, candy, etc.
Once you empty these containers, clean them, and remove the original labels, they make excellent canisters to store stuff or food.
Being square, these canisters take up less room than round canisters. They hold a perfect amount of food for a week long camping trip. They are easy to clean by hand with warm soapy water. Do not use a dishwasher because it gets too hot and will melt the plastic.
It took me ten minutes per canister to complete this modification and cost me nothing. In my opinion, the skill level of this modification is easy.
5. David Carvalho, South Hadley, Massachusetts
Fantastic Fan Shade
2006 Ram 3500
2013 Alaskan Camper
We wanted the ventilation of the Fantastic Vent, but also wanted to keep the camper dark. This modification lessens the sunlight and provides a little insulation as well.
We purchased the roller shade from Camping World online. We use the screw to hook it. A great thing is that the fan can still be on when the shade is pulled.
It took me ten minutes to complete this modification and cost me the price of the roller shade at Camping World. In my opinion, the skill level of this modification is easy.
6. Russ Sherratt, Las Vegas, Nevada
Foam Floor Installation
2016 Ford F250
2017 ATC Cougar
I wanted to soften the tile with something that is easy to install, clean, and would not damage the factory floor.
I decided to purchase a foam floor. Harbor Freight sells anti-fatigue mats. Two packages were plenty for our camper. Measure and mark it. Then make a square cut with a box knife.
It’s warm and soft to stand on. Charlie, our American Bulldog, finds it easy to walk on. It’s worked out great. We like it.
It took me one hour to complete this modification and cost me $18. In my opinion, the skill level of this modification is easy.
7. Jodie Ramsey, Madison, South Dakota
Truck Camper Placemat or Pillow Design
2012 Chevy Silverado
2014 Adventurer 116DS
I wanted something small, light, and personal for our truck camper placemats. I was looking for a simple truck camper sewing pattern for a pillow or placemat and couldn’t find one, so I decided to create my own design.
I drew an outline of a truck camper on paper, cut them out, and then transferred the shapes to material. Using my Singer sewing machine I assembled my project.
I first used a straight stitch to tack the appliqués to the base fabric, then used a satin stitch. Next came the border. Finally, I attached the front panel to a plain back panel with another piece of material in the middle as a liner.
We love our placemats. This was my first paper piece sewing project as well as using the satin stitch feature on my sewing machine.
Because I already had the fabrics in my stash from older projects, I did not spend any new money to acquire fabric or supplies. While sewing a straight stitch by machine is relatively easy, making my own pattern and also doing a satin stitch border around the appliqué makes this a bit trickier, so I rate it medium skill.
It took me two hours to complete this modification and cost me hardly anything. In my opinion, the skill level of this modification is medium.
8. Kathy Dresbach, White, Georgia
Dressing Room In Camper
2015 Ram 3500
2016 Eagle Cap 1165
I wanted a dressing room; a place to get dressed without having to pull down all the window shades.
I put up two Command hooks. One hook is on the back of the wardrobe cabinet and one is next to the door of the bathroom. I bought a shower curtain at Walmart and hang it on the Command hooks.
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It’s great! It’s easy set up and take down. A dressing room is sometimes necessary when we have guests or don’t want to put down the shades.
It took me five minutes to complete this modification and cost me under $10. In my opinion, the skill level of this modification is easy.
9. Ron Williams, Whittier, California
Jack Remote Velcro Solution
1997 Ford F250
2003 Lance 1010
I came up with this modification so that I wouldn’t lose the jack remote.
I stuck velcro to the back of the jack remote and to the closet wall up high. The remote is never lost and is up out of the way of other things. It has worked out perfectly.
It took me five minutes to complete this modification and cost me $0, considering that I already had the velcro. In my opinion, the skill level of this modification is easy.
10. Jake Schultz, Issaquah, Washington
Handlebar Tape on Ladder For Grip
2008 Ford Ranger
2017 Pastime FDS
This is simple – really, really simple. I added bicycle handlebar tape to our roof ladder. Now we have a comfortable grip instead of a cold aluminum bar when we enter our camper.
All it took to do this modification was a quick trip to a local bicycle shop, a few minutes wrapping the bar, and we were done.
It took me .333 hours to complete this modification and cost me $40. In my opinion, the skill level of this modification is easy.
Click here to vote for your favorite three mods from this month’s contest.
Disclaimer: The modifications above are submitted by Truck Camper Magazine readers. It is your responsibility to make sure that any do-it-yourself modification project you undertake is safe, effective, and legal for your situation.
Enter Your Mods Now!
If you’d like to enter mods into TCM’s Monthly Mod Contest, click here. You can enter as many mods as you want, at any time. Good luck mod makers!
