RV Update- Part 2: Entryway

The advantage of purchasing a three-year-old fifth wheel was that everything worked, far beyond the initial break-in period when most mishaps occur.  However, the older floor plans were not really set up for full-time living, so each room needed upgrades, modifications and updates.  I've already posted about updating our master bedroom and this post is regarding our rig's entryway. 

​I've numbered several items on the attached photos so you can see what I'm describing.  Who would have thought I could find 26 things we did just in the entryway?

1. MORryde steps and step covers
The original set of pull-out steps had far too much play and movement and the rise too great for my wife's safety.  In fact, she took a header once off the top step.   The MORryde step system resolved the issues.  It's one piece that stores up in the doorway when not in use, and when deployed, it's adjustable feet sit firmly on the ground.  We also added carpet covers because the steps' non-skid surface were too rough.  

2. MORryde extended handrail
When we replaced the steps, we also added a longer handrail so that it can support us all the way to the ground, unlike the original rail.

3. Pet door
We nearly always set up a fenced corral for Lucy, our Cairn terrier, but having to let her in or out all day and evening was getting to be a pain.  We ordered a pet door made for screen doors and adapted it for the RV's screen door, which meant that the installation also covered part of the door's bottom panel.  Now, she can come and go as much as she wants.  The door flap has a lock in case we want to leave the outside door open at night so Lucy can't get out and critters won't come in.

4. Solar motion-sensor lights
We found relatively inexpensive motion-sensor lighting that are powered by solar cells built on them and install six of them around the fifth wheel for safety and convenience at night.

5. Screen-door lever
It's a minor thing, but always having to slide the screen panel over to open the screen door with the main door open  was a small frustration that installing this lever removed.  Just lift the lever up and the door can be easily opened.

6. White metal storage cubes
We installed a pair of metal cubes along the ceiling of the hallway into the bedroom for additional storage.  It's well out of the way and we store prescription drugs and overflow meds from the bathroom in these nicely-sized cabinets.

7. Cherry wood coat rack with mirror
One of the few pieces of furniture that we moved from our sticks-and-bricks house, this coat rack has a mirror, two curio shelves and two spaces for pictures

8. Door valence (re-covered)
We re-covered the valence over the door to match the valence updates we made in the living room.

9. Baseball cap holder
I had a couple dozen caps I didn't want to get rid of and this was the best storage device for them I could find.  It's a vertical strip that has hanging flaps from floor to ceiling and I've attached it to the wall.

10. Wooden CD cabinet (converted)
We took a large CD/video cabinet from our house, painted it with chalk paint, distressed it for an antique look and covered its glass panels with a semi-clear treatment.  I attached it to the hallway wall and added tie-downs so it would be secure in transit.  We use this cabinet as our primary backup storage space for bathroom and first aid supplies

11. Carpet strips
We cut three carpet rolls to fit the steps up to the bedroom.  The original carpet underneath is very low quality and was always dirty.

12. Wood carving (decor)
We have a wood carver as a friend and I had him make us this artistic tree bark carving as a birthday gift for my wife.

13. Wood handrails
There were no rails in the stairway to the bedroom so we found molding that would fit the bill and not intrude into the space very far.

14. Fire Extinguisher
'Nuff said

15. Magnetic pinup board
We found a neat sheet of metal with magnetic "pins" and baskets and installed one across from the main door.  It is a convenient spot for keys, RV remote, flashlight and other items that come and go often.

16. Entry mat
​This is the space that accumulates the most dirt in the rig, so we put an extra-heavy duty mat there.  It is easily shook and cleaned.

17. Wire birdcage coat rack
The space between the slide and the door was wasted, so we placed a nice metal coat rack there that also has artistic value.

18. Wood board with weather station
A small craft project was all that was needed to create, stain and install this mounting board, then we added the weather station with three sensors (outside, freezer and refrigerator) .  The unit itself senses inside temps and humidity.

19. Shoe rack
Shoes were always piling up around the door and into the living room and kitchen, so we made a shoe rack out of coated particle board and large coat hooks.  Four pairs of shoes fit perfectly and we make sure we don't let other pairs creep into the space.

20. Wire bins
Again wanting to use otherwise wasted space, we installed two wire baskets next to the door that we use for dog cleaning supplies and other canine accessories.

21. Motion-sensor LED light strip
Night-time lighting was deficient in the hallway, so a specialty light strip was the solution.

22. Coin sorter
Another item that made its way from the house to the RV, this coin sorter uses standard paper coin rolls and is battery-powered.

23. Wicker bin
We attached a small wicker basket on the white cabinet for odds and ends.

24. Antler hat rack
What can I say?  Antlers belong in an RV somewhere...

25. Over-door hanging rack
It's the only door we have, so we put a hanging coat rack on the hallway side and a hanging towel rack on the bathroom side.

26. Framed US map
This was a gift from our friends in the New Directions RV group so we always know where they are.

​Next up:  Updating the Kitchen

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