Gary Sanford Fuse Mods

During the Get Together, we saw many mods and customizations.   It is amazing the talent that many Fuse owners have.

Gary Sanford was nice enough to have created a list of his mods and provided it to those at the event.  He was nice enough to let me re-publish the list so everyone can see.

Please reply in the Facebook group so Gary can answer.  I would not come close to being able to answer.

Sanfords’ Fuse Upgrades, Mods and Wish List: 2016-2017

2017.0 Winnebago Fuse 23T

• Added shelf over bathroom sink ***May 2016***
• Dividers for silverware & galley utensils drawers *** May 2016***
• Broom clip on entry handle *** May 2016***
• “Silenced” bathroom fan *** May 2016***
• Honeywell RTH111B Thermostat (furnace) *** May 2016***
• Hatchlift gas spring for curb side hatch door *** May 2016***
• Vertical wood dowel plate dividers in side cabinet ***May 2016*** 
• Insulated water heater compartment ***May 2016***
• Hardwood stovetop cover ***May 2016***
• Sewer hose carrier mounted on rear ladder *May 2016***
• Bug screens for water heater & furnace *** June 2016***
• Screening in fridge vent panel *** June 2016***
• Road atlas storage shelves added between cab and coach *** June 2016*** 
• China toilet *** June 2016***
• Added wall switch for bathroom fan *** June 2016***
• Cupboard Corrals for medicine cabinet *** June 2016***
• Flow-rite Qwik-Fill Battery Watering System *** June 2016***
• “Crash bar” for screen door *** June 2016***
• Spacer for 2-piece mattress *** June 2016***
• Hughes Autoformer ***July 2016***
• Awning for driver-side coach window ***July 2016***
• Endless Breeze fan in bedroom (replaced TV) ***July 2016***
• RV Superbag & sheets ***July 2016***
• Pegboard inside curb side storage area ***July 2016***
• Custom 1⁄2-length galley sink cover ***July 2016***
• Sewer valve cap with handle ***Aug 2016***
• LevelMate Pro (iPhone leveling system ***Aug 2016***
• Ford side window rain deflectors ***Oct 2016***
• Atwood 120° thermostat for water heater ***Oct 2016***
• License plate lights replaced with LEDs ***Oct 2016***
• Pacific Duallies rear valve stem extensions *** Nov 2016***
• Drawer under dinette seat ***NOV 2016***
• Installed Progressive Industries HW30C surge suppressor & monitor panel ***Mar 2017***
• Hawkshead TPMS ***Apr 2017***
• Grab handles in shower ***Apr 2017***

CONSIDERING FOR FUTURE:

• 3-way winterizing valve near water pump 360 Siphon Roof Vents (2)
• EternaBond tape over fore and aft roof joints Water pump switch under galley sink WasteMaster Sewer Hose System
• HWH Leveling System 

Gary Sanford's Fuse - Additional Awning

Gary Sanford's Fuse - Exterior Water 

Gary Sanford's Fuse - Sewer Hose Holder

Friday at the Get Together

We had a great night talking all about Fuses the night before.  We had such a good time we stayed up way past our bed time.

We were originally going to do some exploring in the area.  We were so convinced that we did not put out the slide.   The Beagle Bus looked kind of funny sitting there in line, everyone with their slides out but us.  On this morning, I let Sonya sleep in. Not that it mattered,  I was having a good time talking with all the fusers that were at the campground.

We sat there talking and watching people arrive.  Every time a Fuse rolled up, the group gravitated to their site to welcome them.    I think we started Friday morning with 11 Fuses and by the end of the day we had 19 rolling up right as the pot luck was starting.

The only event on Friday was a pot luck that started at 5:00PM.  And what a pot luck it was.  I think that there was enough food to feed an army.   Brats, brisket, sausages, and BBQ.   Salad, dips, curds and  chips.   And lets not forget the pecan pies and other desserts.

It seemed like the other thing that was in abundance was wine, bourbon and moonshine.  And a good thing we had that because everyone got a juice glass to commemorate our event.  The glass was good for orange juice, apple juice, grape juice, corn juice, fermented or not.

I was amazed at our crowd.  Everyone seemed like long lost relatives.  Just like a family reunion.  Our new Fuse family reunion.

 

We ate and had a great time.  But then the rain came.  And a rain it was.  Huge thunder showers through the night, but everyone was comfortable in their Fuses.  Me, I could not calm down since it was like when I was a child at Christmas, waiting for our speakers in the morning.

Get Together Question: Ford Commercial Vehicle Center

Help Locating Ford Dealers to Work on Your RV

Ford has recently introduced a program where Ford Dealers that specialize in large vehicles such as the Transit can become a "Ford Commercial Vehicle Center".  They should have everything necessary and not have any issues with servicing our vehicles.

The link to the Ford site is at:  https://fordcommercialvehiclecenter. com/findDealer/init

Any Ford dealer can work on the Transit portion of your Winnebago Fuse, although some may be hesitant because they do not have all of the heavy duty lifting equipment, tall enough bays or other items necessary to work on large vehicles like RVs and commercial vehicles.

Get Together Question - Fuel Additives ?

During the Q&A with Ford, Tom W. showed the group the Motorcraft diesel additive he was using.  He said he was only using it every 5th tank or so.   He provided this followup to the discussion:

The Motorcraft fuel additive that I showed the group is one of two potential additives to use.  The one I had was an anti-gel additive for cold weather.  The other is a cetane performance booster.  Both were developed and recommended by Ford in lieu of any aftermarket product.  Here's a short video clip from Ford created when they released the new packaging:

https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=fYVlPVLyg7E

Get Together Question - Is There a New Bike Rack ?

Question:  Has the Fiamma Bike Rack been replaced on the Fuse with something newer?

Answer:  Here is a drawing of the Summit bike rack we currently offer on the Fuse.  It is pretty similar in looks and function to the Fiamma that was initially offered. 

Get Together in the Smokies Spring 2017 Photos

The link below has the full sized pictures I took at the Fuse Owners Group "Get Together in the Smokies" event.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0By_GWZtlcHblS0JrV0RudEF2VU0?usp=sharing

Dinner/Lunch - Publix Microwave Meals

The last two meals we have had in the Fuse have been seriously good eats.   On our way to the Get Together we stopped at Publix to get our groceries.  Publix for those not in the SouthEast is a regional grocery store like Kroger.

I got sandwich stuff, drinks and enough stuff for two dinner meals. We did not need more since we had the pot luck and the pizza party to look forward to for the rest of the dinners.  Don't say anything about being well  balanced meal or anything.  First, this is vacation.  Second, I don't like green stuff.   But ignoring that, this was some seriously good eating.

Key was that I wanted something that was quick, easy and could be done in the microwave.  To be honest I was not sure what we would be doing at the party so I wanted flexibility.   I hit those goals and we were going to eat something better than sandwiches.

The first meal we had was the Publix Meatloaf.  I paired this with some microwave mash potatoes.  Cooked it at power level 5 in the microwave for 11 minutes and it came out nice and hot.  I paired it with some microwave mash potatoes.  4-5 minutes in the microwave for those and we were ready for a piping hot dinner.

This meatloaf was very yummy.  It was in a brown gravy not a tomato gravy.   It was enough for Sonya, Lily and myself to have a good portion with the mash potatoes and have enough for a second half helping.   It did not taste too salty which is something I tend to be more sensitive to lately.  The cost was $6.99 in the deli section.

Our second Publix meal was meant to be our dinner on Thursday, but it turned into lunch on Friday.  We got so busy talking to all of our old/new (what is a Facebook friend when you meet them in person for the first time) friends that when we finally gave up for the night we had forgotten to eat.

This meal was Publix Beef Tips and Uncle Ben's Microwave rice.   This was also pretty good and made a great meal.   Not quite as yummy as the meat loaf, but not bad never the less.   This took 6 minutes at 50% power in the microwave and then it was nice and steaming.   Accompanying this was some Uncle Ben's Microwave Rice - Roast Chicken Flavored.  This was 90 seconds in the microwave at full power and it was ready to go.

It made a good meal as well.   The beef tips on top of the rice was a great pairing.  There was enough  for everyone without any leftovers.  It had plenty of extra gravy to add to Lily's dog food tonight so everyone was happy.  This I thought was a little more salty than the meatloaf.  Still very good and I am probably the only one that would notice.  Oh, and the price was $7.99

And just to be healthy, we had a healthy desert -Nutter Butter Peanut Butter Cookies.   Peanut butter counts for healthy, right?

A question I was asked at the Get Together.  Do you eat on paper plates or on real dishes?   We eat on both depending on what the meal is.  With sandwiches we generally eat on paper towels.  With the meals above we used paper plates with real flatware (we have some disposable plastic stuff we have picked up at fast food places).  But we have 4 place settings of corning ware that we use as the need arises.