This post may contain affiliate links.
I’ve had a lot of time between learning about the Winnebago EKKO and actually receiving ours to think about mods I’d like to make. During that time, the pile of “mod stuff” in my shop has grown to ridiculous proportions. I walk you through some of the upcoming mods in this video:
If you’ve seen something in my giant pile you’re interested in, know that I’ll be tackling it in the upcoming months. Naturally, I hope to do all these projects sooner rather than later, but Stef won’t let me just do RV mods 24×7. She makes me sleep sometimes.
Also – Making a video about a mod takes considerably longer than just doing the mod. So it’ll take me a while to work through it all.
Anyways – here are some links to the products you see in the video. They’re affiliate links where possible, so know that any purchases you make are only serving to further my RV mod addiction.
I’d write more, but I want to get to work, so here’s the list. (But remember, this is only the stuff I show in the video. There’s lots more.):
Perfect Tear Paper Towel Holder
Victron MPPT Charge Controller
Victron MultiPlus II Inverter/Charger
James, a question about the SOG. I recently purchased it (from Australia) but the only thing that is not clear to me are the electrical connections. Most online videos or written instructions do not seem to apply the Ekko. The included instructions are too vague to be useful. Any suggestions, diagrams? Thank you in advance.
I don’t remember what I did for the electrical connections originally, and I no longer have the instructions. Later I wound up modifying mine to include a switch. (So I can switch the fan to “always on” or “only on when toilet valve is open”.) In any case, my wiring diagram would probably cause more confusion.
Conceptually, it’s pretty simple. You just need power and ground. The micro switch will handle the rest. Use your multimeter on the connections inside the trap door to determine which wires to use. I have vague memories that the instructions were off in some way (like they wanted you to switch the ground instead of the positive wire or something odd like that, which I would never do). But it’s been so long since I looked at the instructions, I can’t be certain.
I see you have a SOG system listed for install,however haven’t seen it installed. Did you change your mind on it? If so why? Enjoy your mods.
I’ve installed the SOG, but I haven’t posted about it.
It’s… okay.
And it’s not readily available to US consumers. You have to work for it.
James, I’ve watched every one of your modification videos. Most of them are what I had listed as mods I wanted. (Litter box area, overhead cab insulated and made into one big storage area, change out the screen door, swap the sink and stove, get a better water filtration system, etc.,)
I heard Stef say that you don’t do mods for other people. But, I am wondering if that’s negotiable in return for being well paid to do them? I’m 100% not handy and don’t know anyone who is. Since you’re familiar with the EKKO and the mods already, I would be more than eager to pay you well to do mine. If it’s something you would consider, please e-mail me.
I’m super flattered, but I honestly just can’t. I barely have the time to do my own mods and work my two jobs.
There are good shops out there, and you’d be better (and certainly more timely) served by seeking one of them out.
I respect that more than you realize. Time is precious. That’s why I’m getting my RV now (at 57). I respect people who put their time over money.
Being new to RVs, can I ask a dumb question? How would I search for a shop that can expertly do modifications for me?
At least I got the chance to thank you for your videos. It’s sincerely meant. I also appreciate that you route your comments to your website instead of YouTube. That’s not only marketing genius for traffic, but it saves you time because it weeds out (most of) the whiners, generic comments, and spam, while directing serious folks where to benefit and participate. I’ve also found your posts to be intelligently written. As a writer myself, it makes me smile.
Well thanks, Jack. Most people complain about the link over here to leave comments, but we’ve stuck with it (mostly) over the years.
To find a shop that could install RV stuff properly, you might try at a marina. The equipment and techniques are very similar, but the standards seem to be higher.
If you’re in Oregon, AM Solar is a capable shop. There are a couple guys on the EKKO Owners and Wannabes group on Facebook that have shops (East Coast) that can do these mods.
In fact, if you’ve not done so, I’d encourage you to join that group. It’s moderated, and there’s a lot of discussion of mods there.
James, sorry if I missed it, but is that a cool, white oval clock on the wall above the AC controls? I just finished watching the AC inlet silencer thingy video and caught it there…Thanks!
It’s not a clock, it’s a temperature sensor.
This one: https://amzn.to/3AmlopC
Thanks! Wistful thinking on my part..we’re looking for a clean-looking atomic clock-temp & humidity gage thing and that is what I thought I saw….
you need to seek help. to buy something and change it before you use it is not very smart, i like the cat door. have a great day
There is a cornucopia of cool RV components in that Lippert catalog. But where did you buy that Planet Table? I thought Lippert is an OEM supplier.
(Hankering after the frame-and-slat beds)
It took a while working with them to get the table sent. Apparently, it’s not something they normally stock in the US. I’ve told them that they could expect a bunch of inquiries once I started making videos!
James, you are like a kid at Christmas with all that stuff! That Lippert table might be just what I’ve been looking for to replace the static one Dennis Zingler installed with his “Bistro” mod in my Travato K. Hmmm. Looking forward to seeing the evolution of your EKKO.
Seems pretty cool so far, but I still haven’t figured out one of the locking modes. (It takes a cable to make it work.)
Winnebago should offer this as ‘The Fit RV Upgrade’ on the Ekko and give you a percentage of each one sold.
Never in the history of t-shirts has there been a more appropriate t-shirt.
This will be fun!
The T-shirt…….classic!
Here’s a neat light addition:
https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/surface-puck-lights-and-stick-up-lights/motion-sensor-led-stick-up-lights/374/1332/
It is a motion detector light that only goes on when it’s dark. Battery powered.
In our rig, it’s for people (or persons unnamed) who get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. Enuf light to do your business but not wake up your significant other. Highly recommended.
I did get a similar product for Mel’s cabinet and one of the outdoor storage compartments.
But mine are just something I picked up at the home center.
CNC Router? Are you perhaps getting a Shaper Origin? The hubster loves his. We would love to see what RV mods you could do then!
That would have been an interesting way to go, but I went with a full quarter-sheet flat bed CNC from i2R.
Thanks for the great EKKO Modification’s “teaser” video!!!
We’ll be getting our EKKO in a few weeks, so I’ll be eagerly waiting to see ALL of your videos, especially the solar/battery upgrades (as we deleted the generator too).
Are you adding a “Low Voltage House Battery” auto engine start?
Are you gonna kill your OCCC with all that stuff…..lol…..Great Video…
Nah. We’ve got almost two thousand pounds to work with.
I’ll weigh it when I’m all done, but I’m not concerned.
OK. You have officially consumed all the KoolAid you can handle and jumped into the deep end where all the alligators are waiting. It may take until next year to finally get everything back together again so you can actually travel. BTW, I didn’t see any warp drive nacelles in that so they must be coming later.
You’ve got a point. I have been a little worried about the sheer number of mods standing between me and our first trip…
And there are still mods planned that we didn’t show. Most of the ones that have to do with the chassis, I won’t do myself. But I’m not saying exactly when the warp drive is coming…
I’ve been there once too often so it’s not hard to see the writing on the wall. Particularly when you reach the bit where something doesn’t quite work and you realize you got a left-handed twist framistan when you needed a right-handed reverse twist one and they are backordered for 2 months.
Well, I have had 7 months to plan. Hopefully, I’ve thought of most things.
(But I’m sure I haven’t, lol.)
I love that the very first mod is one that makes life better for the cat!
Hi James and Stef, we’ve been fans for many years, always very informative and fun.
We’re considering the EKKO, and have plans of increasing battery capacity, to 12 or 16KW. Although I do have a question. In your dimensions video the generator was installed. In your first EKKO video tour at 3:35 you open the battery compartment but not the “other” one that was where the generator was.
What are the dimensions of the compartment and the opening where the generator was, could you fit one or maybe two more of the Lithionics batteries in there?
Is the wall between the two compartments a common wall?
Thanks, will be watching for the 20k mod videos
The wall between the two compartments is a double wall. Plus, the former generator compartment has a door that is too small to fit a battery inside (though you could stand up a battery if you could get it in the door).
My solution will be more elegant.
We have the same induction cooktop in our Coachman 2020 24A Galleria and it is really nice. I’d recommend not installing it permanently as Coachman did, but just store it when not in use. We routinely just take it outside and plug into the Galleria for power. Also, because of the ventilation fans for the cooktop, care needs to be taken in a permanent mounting location to ensure that no obstruction of the air vents will occur; it appears that a fire related to inadequate ventilation may have occurred in a Galleria a few years ago.
We had the same one mounted up in Lance, so yep.
I actually prefer having it mounted up, and not having dangling cords when cooking and something else to store when not.
But yes, for anyone contemplating an induction cooktop mod, the venting is something to mind.
Hi Stef and James, love all your EKKO mods videos, my favorite was the cat litter box cabinet. Quick question, Are you planning to do a video on the induction cooktop mod? We are thinking of replacing our cooktop with induction and would like to see how you did it. Thanks.
Yes. There will be a galley remodel video somewhere down the line. We have a number of videos in the queue ahead of it though.
I’ll warn you though… I used the CNC router and had to apply my own high pressure laminate to a new counter top. So it’s certainly not a beginner-level mod the way I did it.
Wow,…Steph, … after that router reveal, this may be a good time to have an affair….. looks like he’ll be REALLY busy… for awhile….
…
….joking,….just a joke…. ( sorta )
James, your enthusiasm is contagious! So glad we are going to be eye-witnesses to the evolution of Number One.
Alexa! Hope things are going well for you and Lance!
So how about the heater? I’d love to swap it for one that would burn gas from the Fords fuel tank. I have a hard time wrapping my mind around cold weather camping and having to worry about finding a place to fill the LP tanks. Replace the heater and if it also takes care of the hot water, you can remove the heavy limited LP tanks from the equation.
Well, you don’t technically have to *fill* the propane tanks. You could just swap them at an automated kiosk.
A single-fuel coach would be cool, we agree. But as far as changing anything with the propane system… we’re going to wait until we’ve lived with it for a while before making any decisions. I mean, if filling both propane tanks lasts all winter, is that really a problem? To us, it wouldn’t be.
Will you be replacing the stock tires with All-Terrains? If so, which ones?
No tire swap planned.
(There are no all terrain tires available in North America for the EKKO’s tire size anyway.)
What is the Ekko tire size anyway?
205 75 R16
James…what’s your van weigh wet and what’s the GVWR? How much room do you have to add weight and are you going to weigh the new stuff that goes into the van and weigh the stuff that comes out?
I track my weight and make sure I’m within the GVWR, especially in the summer when the road is hot and my tires are up there in pressure.
We have almost two thousand pounds of capacity available, and I know approximately what our running gear weighs. I’m not too concerned.
I will weigh things when I’m done, but I’m not tracking the weight of my paper towel holder, or any other mod on an individual basis.
Like you, we always travel within our RV’s GVWR and will continue to do so… That’s just smart RVing.
Ha,ha,ha! Surprise CNC Router reveal!
Well, the side benefit of that was – she couldn’t shoot me since I was on camera!
This is like watching hot RV porn! Super excited to follow. Congrats on the cnc router.
You know it!
Sounds like lots of fun ahead!
I must say however that I think you’re not making the best choice with respect to your drinking water filter. I humbly suggest that you use conventional reverse osmosis with an added UV sterilizer and pressure pump to reprocess your gray water into fresh water.
Then ALL the water in your fresh tank will be RO drinking water. Also ALL heavy metals and toxins will be removed and your TDS will be very low (which your chosen guzzle H2O filter cannot do). Also, you’ll never run out of fresh water or gray tank space. Yes I know you have 55 gal of fresh, but why not make it all RO water and have it be full all the time.
Then you won’t need to install another faucet in your always precious counter area. Just turn on the normal tap and get pure drinking water. If you’re really in the boonies you can refill by just pouring lake or river water into your sink (which then drains to the gray tank).
I did this mod to my Travato and it’s a whole new ball game. We use the sink to wash dishes now, take longer showers and don’t need to dump so often. I should probably post a video of my own showing the process, but I think you get it and I’ll happily send some photos if you need clarity.
Best wishes!
The water capacity in the EKKO is sufficient that I never really considered recycling water systems. We’re never “out of civilization” for long enough to make that a consideration. (Remember, we’re road cyclists… we need roads.)
And while I did consider RO systems for the RV, I didn’t want to deal with the brine, or the pressure pumps. Again… didn’t seem required for our use case.
Sounds intriguing….
Wohoo! Finally going Victron. Do the Lithionics batteries that come in the EKKO support CAN? Second alternator with a Wakespeed WS500 CAN controlled regulator would be the icing on the cake if they did.
😉
Hadn’t even considered a 50 amp conversation on a van. Makes sense though if you are putting in that big a battery. Would take ages to charge with just 30 and trying to also run the ac and other loads. Looking forward to seeing it all come together.