Pup

Stock with addtional factory Carrier in rear, 13,500BTU A/C 20,000 BTU Furnace.
added Dual Propane tanks, Dual Step

2016-Forest River Cherokee-Wolf Pup 16BHS-16 ft - 21 ft 6 inches hitch to bumper.

Exterior: • Outside we used a Brown/Beige 6' x 9' Classical Reversible Mat CDN$ 47.08 , but found it too short for the Wolf Pup, so exchanged it for a 9 x 18 size.
• We found that a 20 # propane tank is too small and worrisome as you never knew when your tank would be empty, so installed a secondary tank with dual black propane plastic cover. The color cleans up the front end of the trailer very nice and blends in with the Black/brown exterior of the FR 16BHS. We did not go with the automated switch over for propane and stayed with a manual cut over. When one tank runs out, I know when I need to get some propane.
• To hang lights from the awning - Camco 42733 RV Fabric Party Light Holders CDN$ 11.12
• To split the campground water supply to allow a drinking water hose as well as an auxiliary hose - Camco 20113-X RV Wye Garden Hose Valve - Metal CDN$ 5.67
• To remove liquid waste from the RV we used the Valterra D04-0275 Black 20' Dominator Sewer Hose Kit CDN$ 84.97 and drip set - Valterra T1020-3VP Drip Cap Set CDN$ 14.99 and the Valterra T1026-1 45° Clearview Adapter with 3" Bay Lug CDN$ 17.62
• We did not like the standard key which opens everyone’s storage hatch so replaced the current lock with a Combi-Cam 7850R-S Combination Cam Lock, 5/8" Chrome Finish CDN$ 18.99
• To ensure the trailer is level and it must be for the FR 16BHS fridge to work, we bought the Hopkins 08525 Graduated Level CDN$ 16.87. The first time we brought the trailer home, and we have a steep laneway, the fridge was turned on using electric (120V). Over the course of the next 24 hours, the fridge did not cool. You could feel heat from the exterior cooling grids, but no fridge cooling. Tried the fridge on Propane and ran for 24 hours on propane. Still no go, you could hear the propane igniting and the heat outside from the vents. Jacked the front end of the trailer up 24 inches to almost 1-2 degrees of level and the fridge started cooling. Switched back to 120 V cooling and the fridge continued cooling. We also added an 8 inch electric fan to the upper cooling vent area, as long as we were on park power, the cooling fan will run. This seems to allow the fridge to cool faster.
• The fridge definitely required a Taylor Food Service Classic Series Freezer-Refrigerator Thermometer, Large Dial CDN$ 8.39
• We added a second battery, as the wife needs the extra 12 volt back up power for a CPAP sleeping aid, to ensure there is adequate 12 volt power Attwood 9065-1 Battery Box Standard with Strap Vented for 24 Battery Series CDN$ 11.19. You have to unscrew the original battery box, move it to the far left or right and the second battery box should fit tight. (You may or may not need to cut or trim one of the handles. Also, these RV units need an aftermarket battery disconnect. At this time you should install one as the radio and CO2 sensor will bleed your battery dry in a month or less. I used one from an old battery jumper that I dismantled due to dead batteries.
• The FR 16BHS seems to have a few hidden storage spaces, behind/beside the factory radio, under the queen bed and under the sink. Once you remove the factory installed baffles, with a couple of square headed screws, these panels can be re-arranged for more usable space. (Be careful of existing water lines, propane lines and electrical.)
• Replaced the OEM single step to a Stromberg two step CDN $171.88, makes senior life a lot easier to come and go. There was a 23 inch drop from trailer to ground which we went from an 11inch entry per step to two - 7 inch steps.
• Changed out the OEM tongue jack with a Jack Quick 3500 JQ-3500B 12V Electric Tongue Jack with Dual Lights, 3650 lb
• Added exterior step carpets on the 2 stairs (Walmart - $11.97 CDN Ea)

Interior: • The first thing we did was go under the unit and seal up all access points little critters may enter. Used some PL Premium adhesive and steel wool. Mixed the two together, and makes a solid seal. Hopefully this will keep rodents, insects, spiders & etc away. Some of the areas of penetration underneath were the low point water drain, Propane entry, water line drains (Hot & Cold), Sewer lines, & tears in the under chassis plastic. Also Sprayed under coat on the chassis and any other possible rusted lines (Propane lines were already started to rust).
• A better backsplash for fire safety, the gas stove is a little too close to the lauan wood side cupboard and the trailer outside stove walls. We added a ½ inch sized tile backsplash. The ½ sized stone was also half the weight. Including grout, (Which we already had) the price was $54.00 CDN from Lowes for 6 - 12” x 12” panels (These tiles were also Self-sticking). We also followed directions in covering over the stove with a bread board. Adds a lot of counter space.
• Added a 3 hook self-hanging coat rack to the Bathroom door.
• Added a 12 x16 mirror and used industrial strength Velcro to the bathroom door. We used Command-strips stick on hooks and Velcro to hold up several pictures, a clock, keys and fobs.
• Added dimmable LED strip lighting to under the cabinet cupboards, using a handheld key fob for dimming. ($27.00) Online (Used the 5050 SMDs – very bright). Utilized the 12V power from the radio and added lighting above the kitchen table and under the sink area cabinets.
• Changed out the FR - OEM centre push button LED lights for the more traditional Double Interior Light with Dual Switches (Used replaceable LED bulbs instead of the regular incandescent bulbs). Bargman Lights 34-76-243 76 Series 12V Double Interior Light with Dual Switch ) CDN$ 18.72 (all prices are as of March 2016)
• The color temperature of the OEM LEDs were all wrong for the OEM interior and were a too bright white. For the replacement bulbs I used the Grv T10 921 194 24-3528 SMD LED Bulb lamp Super Bright Warm White Pack of 10 CDN$ 32.50.
• Replaced the OEM Dometic furnace cheapo thermostat for the Honeywell TH1100DV1000 Pro-Digital 2-Wire Heat Only (CDN$ 55.84). This thermostat is a standard two wire setup and is more precise in providing heating temperature and display. It also provides a lit current temperature as it needs 2 AA batteries to operate. The heated temperature did not fluctuate more than 2 degrees during operation.
• The dining table needed cup holders as the table is short from the walls by about 2 -3 inches. We spilled lots of stuff from the table top to the floor. We used the American Technology CH-00100-BLK-1 THE MUGGER Black HD Folding Cup Holder (CDN$ 11.19)
• We previously owned a motor home and needed a screen door closer. The FR 16BHS uses a stiff hinge to retain the door in place and to close .We used the Camco 42183 RV Screen Door Cross Bar CDN$ 16.41 to close the door. (Which always needs to be slammed to close)
• To get to the top bunk for seniors as well as grand children we bought a Stromberg Carlson (LA-460-B) Black 60" Bunk Ladder CDN$ 84.83
• In order for the OEM Furrion stereo radio to speak to the TV we ran an AUX cable from the left side of the RV to the right side using the ceiling channel for the sound output from the Television to have boosted sound . FosPower (4.6m / 15 ft) 3.5mm Male to 3.5mm Female Stereo Audio Extension Cable Adapter. Also to hang the TV, I cut out a piece of plywood the size of the cupboard and also used a PL Premium adhesive to shore up the inside of the over-the-counter cabinets to hold a TV mount for a 24 inch DVD/TV combo unit.
• and no, the DVD player only plays sound and no picture so a Video cable needs to be strung from the left side to the right side of the RV, where the tv resides.
• Added to the overhead cupboards JR Products 70545 Metal Cabinet Door Struts to keep the cupboard doors open.

Renovations and Repairs: No repairs except for screens pushed in by little grand children.

Tow Vehicle: 2014 3.8 L V6 Chev Traverse AWD

Favorite Camping Destinations: Fort Wilderness Fla
Charleston Lake Provincial Park lansdowne Ontario, Canada