Awning Room Modification - BEST Tiny Camper Mod! - ARB, 23Zero, Ironman Awning/Annex Room

[@gregspeakman9337]

Brian, another great video. I too had Sam, The Wizard of Modz, mod my 8’ ARB room. I bought the ARB after watching Sam’s video on the mod. I then arranged for him to do the mod. He did other mods for me, such as the AC, sealing the bottom of the Bushwacker, installed a front plate, and a few more. I love the ARB mod and it gives me a that extra space without rain coming or bugs. His craftmanship is top notch and he makes look like the mod was a part of the ARB from the factory, if not better. He made the trip from Canada worthwhile. Like you, I don’t have the skillset to do the mod. I learn so much watching both Sam and your videos. Thanks to you both.. Now to stop my biscuits and gravy addiction.

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

That biscuit and gravy addiction is a real thing, you gotta be careful how us Yankees eat!! Haha Going to Sam's is a lot of fun and he certainly makes it worthwhile!

[@adventuresofthememorymakers]

Thanks Greg! I told you white gravy was addicting!

[@twloughlin]

Sam is a wonder! His videos are incredibly helpful, and even if I can't possibly do what he does, I am always both educated and entertained watching his work. Now, having said that, I would offer to people an alternative - a 9x8 or 10x10 Deluxe Kodiak Canvas Flexbow tent. If you pitch that tent close enough to your trailer, and use the front door flap as a canopy tied to your trailer, you have 95% of what the ARB room offers. The largest difference is the fact that the tent will not directly attach to the trailer, but the canopy will provide a covered space to move from trailer to tent. For a completely helpless old geezer like myself, it's an easier no-work-involved solution. And I will bet my last dollar that if you took that tent to Sam and said "Make this so it attaches to my trailer", he could do it.

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

I agree, some of these companies are finally making high quality, semi-sealed side entry tents. There's a few great options that didn't exist a couple years ago. I hope Sam can get to the point where he manufactures something and can mail it out!

[@dottiechristopher2792]

I know Sam personally and he is a perfectionist wizard. Thank you for sharing all that information Brian. Sam can fix about anything but a broken heart.

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

You give him a sewing machine and some Henrys sealant, he might even work something up for that heart!

[@adventuresofthememorymakers]

Just got in and watched the video. Thank you for sharing all that info Brian. I think you gave me way too much credit, I am just a hack with a camera. It was lots of fun working with you on this mod. Lots of laughs mixed in with bird reports from your Dad! Its a great mod but I myself am torn between it and our shower room we attach in a similar fashion. We use it every time we camp. It is indespensible. Thanks again and look forward to seeing you again soon! Guess I really need to find time to shoot some more videos now that you have put the teaser out there.

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

Haha... bird reports from Dad. I do love that EZ shower room set up! Get filming!

[@billlevine9070]

Sam aka The Wizard of Modz made this mod to our ARB room for our 12sk. It’s a game changer. No more bugs and a full 8x8 room that we can live in while having the bushwhacker door open. Sam was able to take care of all of this and it fits perfectly. We love our whacker even more now that we have a living room. Thanks Sam (and Cindy for putting up with us taking all Sam’s time).

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

Thats awesome, Im glad you like it as much as we do!!

[@adventuresofthememorymakers]

Thanks Bill, we are looking forward to meeting you and Natalie on our West Coast tour!

[@dyrinn45]

So glad this video popped up for me! I now have a huge number of videos to catch up.

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

I hope you subscribe and hit the bell notification, we're putting out tons of content!

[@tricias5927]

Great video, Brian. And Sam is truly the wizard of mods! We bought the ARB combo awning and room, and use the poles inside and out, with mych success. Lots of rain last weekend, and we did have to drop one of the corners so the rain eould run off, even eith the centre pole. I'm hoping to get the room modification some time, but it's a bit of a jaunt from southern Onrario to Indiana ... Anyway, thank you for all your videos. The last one on keeping water out of the trailer had me going outside immediately and checking to make sure the trim was fine.😅

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

Im glad some of the videos have been helpful, I appreciate you watching and commenting!

[@adventuresofthememorymakers]

Thank you Tricia. Just let us know when you want to come down. You would not be the first Canadian to make trek. We would love to come to Canada next summer and meet up with owners. Still working out logistics of getting rooms back and forth across the boarder.

[@tricias5927]

@@adventuresofthememorymakers Thank you, Sam! We’re joining everyone in New Hampshire, so maybe we can make plans then? Right now we’re using magnets and clips to hold the back wall to the trailer. Something purpose-made mods would be a great improvement!. And, there’s a lot to see in Canada. Let us know if you need any info.

[@adventuresofthememorymakers]

@@tricias5927 sounds great, see you in October!

[@cindysadventuresinstitching]

Great video! Lots of useful information! The annex room mod is the absolute best thing about our teardrop! Thanks, Brian!

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

Thank you!!! we know who the real mastermind is 😉

[@RM0818]

I loved the slide-in-Sam graphic! 😀 Great video as always. Very good information here!

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

Hahaha... should I just use that as all of my transitions?

[@J4Julz]

This is so great that you are showcasing Sam & Cindy's new LLC, the Wizard of Modz! I think I may have been their first on site visitor, but Sam can verify that. It all started with that exposed tyvek on the stone guard zone on the front of the camper. What a great team, I just love them! 🩷 maybe someday I'll figure out how to get an awning on mine.

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

They are the best, they should have 1 million subscribers!!

[@adventuresofthememorymakers]

Yes Julie, you started it all! We can't wait to see you at the Boil!

[@ChuckStark]

Great Video, I have already made those poles for my awning / room extension, I also bought an extra AWB side arm (pole) and drilled holes in the framework (both sides) to hold the pole in the center of the awning. Just have to come up with something to put on the pole so that it is in the center of the awning top to raise it up, no more center pole standing in the center of the room area to bump into! I wish we could include photos in our reply's!

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

That would be a great feature for youtube, It would make everything easier! Those poles make all the difference. He has a great system that he made for the center, I'll wait for him to put a video out on it.

[@touringandtrails]

Sam's the man! Great video Brian!

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

Thanks for swinging by, stay cool in this hot weather! Next time I swing your way, I'll definitely check out some COE campsites!

[@CampsiteCruising]

Nice video, Brian. Great job! I enjoy watching Sam’s stuff as well.

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

Appreciate it, thanks for tuning in!

[@MountainWalton]

I just watched your video on solar panels for an rv you are a great host /person I got a lot of useful info thanks keep it up

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

Thank you, I appreciate that!

[@58kevinsmith]

That is some real innovative, practical and talented work from Sam. With regards to the rain belly, If you look over by the shed you may find Grandpa's original prize center pole. 😉

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

With duck tape center intact!

[@bikingal4283]

years ago Cosmo Weems had a vid where he had altered his pop up clam and fitted the door opening over his Vistabule and had someone alter the back side of the tent to make another door there... it was pretty cool, but Sam takes the cake now

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

I camped with Cosmo in that altered clam set. he actually sent it to Amish country to have it done. Although it was amazing, if you knew what he paid for it, your job would drop... lol He absolutely was the inspiration to start thinking about these things, I've talked about his set up with Sam a bunch of times. I appreciate your comment and that you've been around the YT tiny camper world ... good catch!

[@adventuresofthememorymakers]

I miss Cosmo. We had talked about meeting up on our NE trip before we sadly lost him.

[@bikingal4283]

@@DIYOutdoorLife that's right, I forgot he had the Amish do it... b4 I got my td, a road toad abode, he had done a vid from the factory and he's the reason I got that particular one.. he was the nicest guy.. I had tons of questions about solar, battery use, etc and he was kind enough to email me many times with in depth answers... became like an old friend I had never met... I wanted a Vistabule originally but when I saw the price my jaw did drop... miss him and his vids so much... never be another one like Cosmo....

[@jjham4005]

Thanks!

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

Thank you for the generous support! It really helps us continue to make videos!

[@kathymintexas1556]

Love this mod. Brian, do you (or any of your followers) know if the ARB or Ironman awning room can be attached to a different brand awning (ie 23zero)?

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

Yes, the majority of them are very easily compatible. Just make sure you get the same size and they pair up nicely..

[@tomfowler3653]

Guys I'm telling you Sam has done about 20-plus mods on my 12sk and this mod is a game changer! Once you have it you'll ask yourself why did you wait so long to do it! I've been with Sam and Cindy in a pretty bad storm and we were very comfortable and dry the entire time! I would highly recommend you do this upgrade if you're on the fence about it! It truly is a game changer

[@adventuresofthememorymakers]

Thank you Tom. Were camping out in your room this year at the boil if it storms because we can get to the drink fridge from inside your room which is an awesome feature!

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

Facts!!!

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

@adventuresofthememorymakers I hope you guys like the neighbor!! 😂

[@adventuresofthememorymakers]

@@DIYOutdoorLife me too!

[@andymitchell3830]

Great video, I just reached out to Sam. Just ordered a Hiker Mid Range XL with the 78” 23Zero, is that the size you have in this video?

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

Mine it’s actually a little over 8’….2500 mm. Were you able to use my promo code to save some money with Hiker? In other news, I’m actually hanging out with Sam right now as I write this message … lol.

[@andymitchell3830]

@@DIYOutdoorLife I did put your promo codes in, used the DIY250 👍🏼. Haven’t seen the credit yet but I plan on asking them for sure. Thanks for clarifying the size of your awning. The 8’ wide option wasn’t available on my build, I assume it’s because I also added the shower room beside it. Hope you guys are having fun, thanks for all the awesome content!

[@kennethboatner8611]

Oh yes ! The awning room collapse. We put an Iron man straight pull awning on our hiker about day two of owning it . Our very first outing the pole was destroyed by a storm . Lucky that I had the three extra poles that 23 zero 270 gives you for extra support. We rigged up one to get us through the trip. My kids sleep in this room. I would make this mod for the door but my room sits too far back and does not cover the door . I actually need the front roof rack mount that I didn’t order ( shaking my head) order all roof mounts even if you think you don’t need them . I plan on ditching the iron man and getting the 23 zero along with the front roof mounts . The 23 zero 270 with its tent walls is amazing and we blow people’s minds when we set everything up, lots of space . We have roof AC and this mod would mean a cooled tent room . Remember that some storms will completely destroy this setup despite the pole mods , ours got destroyed in a Florida storm earlier this year.

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

Ahhh... you get it! I also have the same attachments as you on the 270, you can turn this thing into a whole town! LoL Where do you store your awning, room attachments and the right side/left side panels of the peregrine room ? Right now I'm storing in the truck, but I would like to figure something out. Also, if you look close, especially on my "cigs solar on hiker" video, you'll see that I don't have a front roof rack either. in order to make this work, I actually attached one of the side brackets without the roof rack, it was a real pain to get it done and have it be sturdy!! Great advice on getting the front rack

[@kennethboatner8611]

The room and panels are a problem when traveling in the Jeep. I simply leave them at home. We strain the old Jeep with gear , trailer and three people. The panels are not lightweight. If I were to take them in the Jeep I’d store them on the bed . I also pull the hiker with a 22ft long Dodge diesel . The panels are stored either behind the back seat of the mega cab or on the back floorboard. They do not have a permanent home dad to say .

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

@@kennethboatner8611 OK, we're in the same boat. I'm actually thinking about getting a cargo carrier on top of the Hiker just to carry the awning accessories

[@kennethboatner8611]

With the panels installed in the 23 zero 270 it is pretty dark what are you doing for lights ? I have yet to find something that I’m happy with. I had a dimmable led strip that was a sail panel , it slid into the frame of the awning. It failed after about 5 camp outs .

[@bikingal4283]

@@DIYOutdoorLife I have the thule on top of my tow vehicle, my subi... the XL one and LOVE IT... I store my gear in it even when I'm home, keeps me from having to store it in the garage most likely on the floor and it's already packed when I'm ready to hit the road... game changer in other words..opens one side only and have the foot step attachment for the car so I can just pop open the carrier now without a ladder...and it affects my gas mileage minimally

[@jimf.625]

I've been pondering something like this for some time. Until I make my decision, I've been using my Gazelle Gazebo off to the side and attaching the front entrance awning to the crossbars on the roof of my Tag. Not ideal because it is still open on the sides but it gives you a roof from the trailer to the gazebo. It would be nice to be able to hang some side panels to the sides on the way to the gazebo for some privacy especially in campgrounds where you are close to other campers. The Gazelle has held up to some pretty strong weather. I wonder if Sam can to a mod to make a "tunnel" from the trailer to the Gazelle. If anyone can, Sam is the guy.

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

I bet he could. Great to see that you're getting out and enjoying your rig though, thanks for watching!

[@nobearclaw7308]

I'm gonna have to try the poles like this. I broke an awning pole during heavy rain, which completely negates it's use, like you said

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

Its the worst when that happens. Were you able to find a replacement?

[@nobearclaw7308]

@@DIYOutdoorLife Yea I contacted the company and they replaced it free of charge, no shipping. Its from overland vehicle systems.

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

@@nobearclaw7308that's great to hear about OVS, I just spent some money with them yesterday

[@nobearclaw7308]

@@DIYOutdoorLife Absolutely, I was happy they did because it came on my Intech Luna Rover, I didn't buy it directly from them. They still covered it just by submitting a request. Inspires confidence in them moving forward.

[@neverwin2518]

Awesome vid - That’s a really nice custom job on that awning room!

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

Sam does a great job, he's the man!

[@Cbockhoff]

10:20 been waiting for Sam to share his mod for getting rain to run off without needs no the gangster lean. Yours with the tennis ball works but would be nice not to have a pole in the center.

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

The center pole is really hard to get rid of, even with the mods. I agree that it can be annoying, but it's one of the main fixes for the inherent weaknesses of these structures.

[@SharonRepici]

I’ve wanted to do the mod since I saw it on Sam’s channel, but the thought of screwing up the ARB room keeps me from jumping in.

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

Me too, I just brought it to Sam... lol

[@ronbearden3370]

Are you familiar with the PahaQue Wilderness tents. I bought one and it works better then the ARB or Ironman. Better design for repelling water.

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

Yes, I've been looking at them. I like the design, I still have some questions how they handle intense rain and wind. I know that they can't stack up to the final product of this mod, but they don't require modification and they're a lot cheaper... I'll continue to keep a close eye on them and maybe we'll see one on the channel. Thank you for watching!

[@ronbearden3370]

@@DIYOutdoorLife i have used it in one rain storm with high winds and it held up fine. Would love it even more if it were a pop up. Keep on camping. 👍

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

@@ronbearden3370great to hear, keep me in the loop w it!

[@richardmorrow5060]

I use a pole like that to keep the roof of my Clam from collapsing in bad weather.

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

Simple and easy.

[@michaellaserre1624]

Do you have to be at his shop or is there anyone in Pennsylvania that could do this for me?

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

Sam will join the comment section here soon. I know he's traveled to Pennsylvania before and helped people out.

[@adventuresofthememorymakers]

It depends on what type camper you have. If you have a Bushwhacker 10 series I have developed a process where if we can meet somewhere with your camper and room, I can prepnthe camper, make measurements and cut marks, then take the room back to the shop and use our jig to do the mod. All other campers I need in the shop.

[@azwestyman6708]

If I may be so bold, what did the mod cost?

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

Sam and I are friends and he did a whole bunch of things on the camper. You'll have to email him to get a quote for specific work. 475 is the amount for most of the bushwhacker rooms, if that helps.

[@azwestyman6708]

Good to know 😃. Thanks 👍

[@CC_Marauder]

#42👍🏻📱👀👂🏼

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

Fill me in, I'm probably just thick, but I don't follow the # comment.

[@CC_Marauder]

My initial answer to your question was deleted (by YT). The number after the number sign indicates what viewer I was to give a thumb up to your video.

[@SharonRepici]

@@CC_Marauderand here I thought you were giving Brian the answer to the universe.