Our Purchases: Projects & Mods
In preparation for living, working and staying healthy on the road, I (Chris) spent countless hours researching, comparing, ordering, troubleshooting, testing and returning products. It was literally my part time job for almost half a year. And to this day our arsenal of “stuff” continues to evolve as we spend more and more time on the move.
If you’d like to benefit from all of my sweat, blood and due-diligent tears, here’s your chance.
On this page you’ll find almost every single item we’ve ever purchased that relates to our various Projects & Mods.
If it’s here, that means we were satisfied with it and it ended up being useful in some way.
If it didn’t really work for us, or it downright sucked, you won’t see it here.
Plus, any time you actually click a link and make a purchase, you’re helping to support ATSWG by earning us a sweet commission!
Win. Win. Win. – Michael Gary Scott
(NOTE: This list is a constant WORK IN PROGRESS so if you don’t see what you’re looking for, have specific questions, or even find a link that’s no longer working, feel free to shoot us an email at atswego@gmail.com or submit a message HERE and we’ll get back with you as soon as we can.)
Which project list would you like to see?
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Mobile Internet Setup
Fiat 500 Garage Transport
Battery & Inverter Upgrade
Fiat 500 Roof Rack System
F-450 Front Bike Rack
Solid Step & Storage Box
Stackable Washer & Dryer
Mobile Internet Setup
Dual SIM Cellular Modem
Pepwave Max BR1 Mini Cat 6 LTE Advanced Modem + PrimeCare + 12V Power Supply
This cellular modem provides our primary connection to the internet. It can pull internet from two different SIM cards and any external Wi-Fi networks, offering redundancy and fast speeds.
Cellular Roof Antenna
Poynting 7-in-1 MIMO Omnidirectional Roof Antenna
We mounted this to our roof, which provides much stronger cellular and Wi-Fi signals to the Pepwave cellular modem & router, boosting connection reliability and speeds.
Aluminum Sheet (grounding plane)
RMP 6061 T6 Aluminum Sheet – 12″ x 12″ x 0.063″
We installed this sheet of aluminum beneath the external cellular antenna as a grounding plane / plate in hopes to improve the signal, even if just incrementally.
UPS Battery Backup
UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) Battery Backup Surge Protector – 425VA
We have 3 of these units, two providing backup power for each of our iMacs and the other providing backup power for our internet equipment.
8 ft Extension Cord
White 8-Foot Extension Cord
We ran this power cord from the floor-level wall outlet up to the overhead storage cubby to power the UPS (Uninterruptable Power Supply) of the internet setup.
WiFi Smart Outlets
Heavy Duty WiFi Smart Outlets – No Hub Required
These allow us to remotely control our outlets from anywhere. We use one for power cycling our internet and the other three are used throughout the RV for heaters, fans, etc.
Cat7 Ethernet Cable - 25 ft
Cat 7 Ethernet Cable 25 ft Shielded Flat RJ45 – Black
We used this 25 ft ethernet cable for providing a hardwired connection to the iMac closest to the router.
Cat7 Ethernet Cable - 6 ft
Cat 7 Ethernet Cable 6 ft Shielded Flat RJ45 – Black
We used these 6ft ethernet cables for connecting our Pepwave to our ethernet switch.
Cat7 Ethernet Cable - 50 ft
Cat 7 Ethernet Cable 50 ft Shielded Flat RJ45 – Black
We used this 50 ft ethernet cable for providing a hardwired connection to the iMac farthest from the router.
Wall Cable Management Cover
Peel and Stick Cord Organizer, Concealer and Protector for Wall – 144 Inches
We used this for cleanly running and concealing our power and ethernet cables for our internet setup in the office.
5-Port Gigabit Ethernet Switch
NETGEAR 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged Switch
We installed this so we can have more hardwired ethernet ports coming from our Pepwave cellular modem / router.
Titanium Step Drill Bit Set
5PC Titanium Spiral Grooved Step Drill Bit Set with Automatic Center Punch
We originally purchased these for drilling a hole through the roof to install our external cellular antenna. Since then they’ve been useful for drilling holes through many different surfaces and materials.
Dicor Self-Leveling Roof Sealant
Dicor Self-Leveling Lap Sealant for RV Roof
We use the self-leveling version of Dicor for maintaining a waterproof seal around almost anything on top of our rubber RV roof, including antennas, skylights, exhaust fans, etc.
Fiat 500 Garage Transport
Steel E-Track Tie-Down Rails
2ft E-Track Rails – Black Powder-Coated Steel – 2000lb WLL – 6-pack
We installed six of these across the garage floor for attaching all straps and wheel chocks to, for a total working load limit of 12,000lbs. Total overkill for our 2600lb Fiat 500 Abarth.
Wheel Chock Tie-Down Kit
Erickson Wheel Chock Tie-Down Kit
We installed only two chocks from this kit, which are used soley for chocking the back of the front wheels of the Fiat and for a strap attachment point. We didn’t use the included straps or the front chocks.
E-Track Moveable Wheel Chocks
Erickson E-Track Moveable Wheel Chocks
We use two of these for chocking the front of the front wheels. Since these can easily be removed with the push of a button, it allows us to have full clearance for both doors in the garage area when the chocks are not in use.
E-Track Ratcheting Straps
Erickson 2″ x 12′ Ratcheting E-Track Logistic Straps – 1166lb WLL
We use one of these on each tire, for a total working load limit of 4600+lbs. Plenty of capacity for the 2600lb Fiat 500 Abarth.
E-Track Roller Idler
Erickson E-Track Roller Idler Fitting Assembly – 1100 lb. WLL
These are necessary to allow the straps & ratchet to sufficently clear the bumpers. We use one of these on each strap for a total working load limit of 4400lbs which is plenty of capacity for the 2600lb Fiat 500 Abarth.
Yellow Torque Detection Marker
Vibra-TITE Viz-Torque Tamper Detection Marker – Yellow
This bright yellow marker, when applied to the head of each E-Track fastener, allows us to visually check if any have moved since they were last torqued, indicating possible loosening.
Pair of Aluminum Ramps
Pair of Aluminum Ramps with Punch Plate Surface – 12″ Wide x 3’ Long
We use these for providing additional clearance for the front bumper of the Fiat when loading it into the garage. Once the front wheels have cleared these ramps, we pause to remove them and then complete the loading process.
Rubber Tarp Straps
Rubber Tarp Straps with Steel Hooks – 15″, 21″ & 31″
We use these for securing the patio rails and the rear glass doors when we’re loading and unloading the Fiat. This set has the perfect lengths so they hold the doors tight and stable, even in the wind.
Battery & Inverter Upgrade
Battle Born Lithium Batteries
Battle Born LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Battery – 100Ah 12v with Built-In BMS
Three of these allow us to run our lights, fans, TVs, computers, sink & shower pump, etc. for many hours without needing a power connection or having to run the generator.
Smart Bluetooth Battery Monitor
Victron Energy BMV-712 Smart Bluetooth Battery Monitor
This allows us to wirelessly monitor our batteries’ voltage, power draw/charge rate, etc. but most importantly, the percentage charge and time remaining.
MultiPlus Inverter + Charger
Victron Energy MultiPlus 3000VA Inverter + Battery Charger
This is our inverter / charger which not only charges our Battle Born batteries but also allows us to use their DC current to power our AC appliances throughout the RV.
AM Solar Smart Phase Selector
Discontinued
AM Solar Smart Phase Selector
This awesome device accepts the one leg of AC power from our MultiPlus and splits it into two legs so we can power our entire RV without having to install two separate inverters.
2/0 Gauge Flexible Welding Cable
2/0 Gauge Premium Extra Flexible Welding Cable – Combo Pack – Black + Red – 10 Feet of Each
We used this for fabricating custom battery cables for our Battle Born battery bank and Victron Multiplus inverter upgrade.
Battery Cable Lugs
2/0 AWG 3/8″ Battery Cable Ends, Lugs, Bare Copper Eyelets, Tubular Ring Terminal Connectors
We used these when fabricating custom battery cables for our Battle Born battery bank and Victron Multiplus inverter upgrade.
Battery Cable Crimper
16 Ton Hydraulic Battery Cable Crimping Tool w/ 11 Dies
We use this for crimping battery cable ends onto large, heavy gauge battery cables, like the ones used for our Battle Born battery bank and Victron Multiplus inverter upgrade.
6/3 Stranded Romex Wiring
6/3 Stranded Romex SIMpull CU NM-B W/G Wire
We used this for wiring between our MultiPlus, Smart Phase Selector and Auto Transfer Switch. We originally planned to use 6/2 but 6/3 was all we could find in stock at the time of the install.
Bimini Pad Tie Down Loop Brackets
Stainless Steel Bimini Pad Eye Footman’s Loop Tie Downs – 10pk
We used these for strapping down and securing our Battle Born batteries.
Fiat 500 Roof Rack System
Roof Rack Steel Bars (Part 1)
Thule SquareBar Steel Load Bars (Set of 2)
These are the horizontal bars of the roof rack system for our Fiat 500. The 47″ inch bars fit just perfectly.
Roof Rack Universal Feet (Part 2)
Thule Traverse Foot Pack (Set of 4) Black
These are the universal feet of the roof rack system for our Fiat 500. We need these along with a custom fit kit.
Roof Rack Custom Fit Kit (Part 3)
Thule Roof Rack System Fit Kit
This is the custom fit kit for the feet of the roof rack system for our Fiat 500. We needed Kit 1611.
Roof Rack Short Roof Adapter (Part 4)
Thule Traverse Short Roof Adapter
This allows the roof rack system to work on the extremely short roof of our Fiat 500. This was by far the hardest piece to find in stock.
Roof Rack Locking System (Part 5)
Thule One-Key System Lock Cylinders
This allows us to adds locks to all of the feet of our roof rack system to help deter theft. We technically only needed a 4 pack but went ahead and got the 6 pack so we’d have a couple extras with the same key.
Upright Roof Mount Bike Rack
Swagman UPRIGHT Roof Mount Bike Rack
We use this to transport our bikes on the roof rack without having to remove any wheels. This is our favorite bike rack and the one we use most often. It’s stable even at 70mph+ speeds and big enough to hold a 29″ mountain bike.
Fork Mount Rooftop Bike Carrier
Swagman STANDARD Fork Mount Rooftop Bike Carrier
We’ve used this to transport our bikes on the roof rack but it does require us to remove the front wheels. The benefit of this is a slightly more stable ride. Although this is a good rack, we still prefer the convenience of the upright version.
F-450 Front Bike Rack
2" Front Mount Hitch Receiver
Draw-Tite Front Mount Trailer Hitch Receiver – 2″
We installed this on the front of our F-450 primarily so we could transport our bikes on travel days when the bed and rear hitch are inaccessible.
Hitch Mount Bike Rack
Swagman XTC2 Hitch Mount Bike Rack
We use this rack to transport our bikes on the front of our F-450 primarily on travel days when the bed and rear hitch are inaccessible.
Combination Cable Bike Lock
Master Lock Combination 6FT Cable Bike Lock
We use this as a theft deterrent by locking our bikes and rack to the front tow hook of the truck when they’re mounted. We also carry this with us when exploring so we can secure the bikes if we need to leave them.
Lippert Solid Step & Storage Box
Lippert Premium Solid Step
Lippert Premium Solid Step
Lippert sent us these steps free of charge to try out and we were definitely impressed. These are wider and have a much deeper top step than the original steps that came stock on our rig.
Solid Step Lift Assist Kit
Lippert Solid Step Wide Lift Assist Kit
Lippert sent us this free of charge to try out with the Solid Step and it works perfectly. It uses a strut to remove most of the weight from the steps, allowing us to lift and lower them with very little effort.
Solid Step Storage Box
Lippert Solid Step Storage Box
Lippert sent us this free of charge to try out and we’ve been using the heck out of it. We installed it in place of the fold-down steps on our rear garage door and use it for storage as well as a step for getting in and out of the office.
Stackable Washer & Dryer
RV Stackable Washer
Splendide WFL1300XD Stackable Washer
This is the updated model of our washing machine, which we’ve been using for over two years now to wash all of our clothes and towels. Ours is the ARWXF129W and the new one is the WFL1300XD
RV Stackable Dryer
Splendide DV6400X Stackable Dryer – Vented
This is the updated model of our dryer, which we’ve been using for over two years now to dry all of our clothes and towels. Ours is the TVM63X and the new one is the DV6400X
Installation Bracket for Washer and Dryer
Splendide SK02 Installation Bracket for Stackable Washer and Dryer
This kit allows the washer to be installed before the dryer (instead of as one piece) for easier water, drainage, and venting hookup. Both SK02 and SK03 kits will work.
Dryer Vent Installation Kit
VID403AC Chrome Dryer Vent Installation Kit
The VID403AC kit fits the DV6400X dryer and includes a chrome vent cover for the exterior of the RV, which is what we have installed on our unit.
Which project list would you like to see?
< Back to Categories
Mobile Internet Setup
Fiat 500 Garage Transport
Battery & Inverter Upgrade
Fiat 500 Roof Rack System
F-450 Front Bike Rack
Solid Step & Storage Box
Stackable Washer & Dryer