Grill Upgrade - Original Factory grill to Weber Q 1000

Our 2016 Jayco White Hawk came with grill model DDR-BBQ-BLK. Also known as a Side Kick.
I loved the bumper mount and that it was configured to use the low-pressure propane connection in the rear.

Without getting into too many issues, the grill did not cook even and at the end of the second season the burner tube support had rusted and began to fail. The grill had been stored in the front compartment whenever not in use.

Jayco may have offered to replace it however, lets be honest, she went to Weber. My coupon Queen wife found a great deal on the Weber Q1000. All I had to do was find a way to plumb it to the low-pressure propane line, use the existing bumper mount that we love and find room to store in the front compartment. Ask her, that was a fair trade in her mind.

Factory Grill on top, Weber Q 1000 on Bottom

This idea works well, Setup, Takedown are easy and it stores well.




I used a cutting board for the base. I wanted a .5" or .75" inch thick plastic or composite cutting board but did not find one in the size I wanted. I needed 21" long and wanted at least 12" wide. For $21.00 at Walmart, we settled for a bamboo board, at least for now.

Farberware Bamboo Cutting Board, 15" x 21"

By: Farberware - Walmart #: 001481211

I removed the regulator in the Weber Grill and connected to the low-pressure fitting using the original hose and the quick connector from the original grill. The quick connect screwed onto the Weber gas valve in place of the regulator. I did not purchase the kit from the 2nd video listed, I used it to show me how to remove the regulator.

After I removed the quick connect fitting from the original grill and put it on the Weber gas valve, tested for leaks I was done.

I used these links as guides:
LP Quick Connect Conversion - Stoves & Grills

Weber Q Quick Connect Conversion


I added a small C-Clamp to the end of the board farthest away from the bumper to add stability to the board. I already have improvements to this in the work, More on that soon.

Remote Controls

In our 2016 White Hawk we have Furrion TV and Sound System with two remotes that are difficult to see in low light. The sound system remote color scheme makes it difficult to use anytime. So we have added a universal remote that work perfectly with the Furrion devices as well as the Direct TV. One remote replacing three and all feature available. Make switching from DirectTV to over the air a one-button selection.

Touch the remote and it lights up.

Shop around we got ours for less than $50.

http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/harmony-remote-650?crid=60

Camping with Dogs

We raised our dogs similar to children. The more time spent up front with behavioral expectations pays off during their adult years.

Manners in greeting humans, no jumping up, no licking, shake when asked, sit to be petted.


I chose the 5 photos to include in this post because they represent our two rescue lab mixes well both are 8 years old and have spent 7 years with us. Being rescues they both had issues and have different personalities.

The have their own toys and differentiate between inside and outside toys. Do not get on furniture, tables or counters. Have their own spaces. They have their own doctors, food, beds and treats. Never chained and live inside.

They are not perfect but they are ours. They have never been kenneled, left with others nor separated.

They have quirks and things that we watch them closely. We do not let them become bullies at the school yard however we let them be themselves and have fun.

As for camping they love it, we took them in tents, pop-up and now the StormPOD. We acclimated them to each, setting boundaries and making them feel at home. Rules are different when traveling vs at home, but they get excited when we hook up the truck, often loading up themselves and waiting to get underway.

The male Kilo (black) gravitates to the wife and the female Sierra (blonde) gravitates to me. However, they have to earn their place in the family and they have.

Follow-UP "Saint Simon's Island, Georgia for Christmas and New Year"

So we lost the rear differential in the truck on our way home from Shipshewana, Indiana. So we got that repaired and planned our trip to Saint Simons Island, Georgia for Christmas and New Year to end 2016.

After our family affairs completed on Christmas night, we headed for Georgia about 8:30 pm. We made it about two hours from home when we lost two high gears in the transmission. So we heading home in 2nd gear. Made it home safely. Unpacked that night and re-winterized the next morning.

Truck has been repaired and the 2017 season planning has begun.