Alite Mods

Bumper Storage Tube A length of 4" corrugated drain pipe makes a lightweight storage tube that rests on the stabilizer screws and is bungeed to the stabilizers. The bungees serve double duty, also keeping the stabilizers from drooping during travel (which they have been known to do). The ends of the tube are capped with slotted drain covers (one cover is screwed on, the other is removable, secured with a cord. Good storage for sewer hoses, tent poles, etc. "Attic" Shelf A wire shelf hung from the center pole is a great help for storage. For maximum length, I had to get the shelf as low as possible, and because of the tight space between the A sides when folded, there wasn't room for any kind of wall-mounted shelf bracket. Hardware on the sides  of the A-wall extrusions would not get in the way of anything. To provide the most stable support for the downward stress of the shelf, I used 2 hooks taken from suction cups. A screw  and fender washer fasten each...

Curtains  While I liked the curtains, they were poorly made and the thin lining gave very little privacy at night. I cut out the original lining and replaced it with thermal draper lining. I also adjusted the placement of the velcro tabs and tiebacks so that the curtains hang better. With the bedside curtains pulled back, I still felt the need for just a little more privacy, so I made simple cafe curtains to fit across the lower window. A dowel slips through the top hem and fits into the window frame at each side of the horizontal window bar. The middle of the dowel tended to droop, so I put a piece of self stick velcro (hook side) in the middle of the frame and sewed loop-side velcro squares to the front and middle of the top curtain hem. Either pulled shut or open to the middle, the curtain's velcro sticks to the window frame and holds the dowel up in place. Neat Sheet Another Alite owner told me about the Neat Sheet - a washable, water repellent, paper-like material tha...

November, 2011     I'd enjoyed a fall weekend camping trip, caravanning with a friend and her Alite, when the unexpected happened just an hour away from home. At the same time I felt something "funny" in the trailer, Jan, who was following me, flashed her lights. I immediately pulled onto the shoulder and saw smoke coming from the left trailer tire. It was absolutely shredded! Forty-five minutes later, after a call to AAA, the spare tire was mounted and we were back on the road. Thank goodness it was a dry, sunny day! Inital inspection of the damage revealed a hole through the bottom  rear of the plastic wheel well, with a small intrusion into the camper interior and a very banged up aluminum undercarriage behind the wheel. In addition, the cover was torn off the power-cord inlet. It looked pretty bad. The first step at home was to clean up the damaged area for a closer look. A combination of GoJo Fast Wipes hand-cleaning towels, Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, and Dollar...