Customization: Why do we do it?

Lets face it, customization of anything is usually expensive, time consuming, and yet curiously satisfying. When we got the trailer, my architect side took over and started to dream radical customizations for the interior of the trailer:

• Out with the bunk beds and make that area into a computer station
• Replace the couch with 2 recliners
• Put a bigger TV
• Install WiFi In Motion
• On, and on...

But then, Vicky put a gentle stop to this Mad Man episode and reminded me of some pragmatic considerations like time, money and re-sell considerations. It seems that one big attraction for this particular Airstream model, is the bunk beds. Which gives the owners the ability to accommodate four people without playing trailer Tetris. Add to that the fact that you can turn the couch into a double bed, and the dining area into another double bed, and you can turn the rare Safari 30' BB into a scene form "Das Boot" hosting eight people.

But for us, the bunk beds represented the ability to carry extra equipment. It is like having 2 huge shelves. So, in the end I archived all my plans under "pipe dream" and concentrated on maintenance and repairs.

But recently, in an rare reversal of roles, Vicky started to suggest some customizations. One that we decided to do was to change the window treatments. We noticed that all the windows have this white velcro'ed curtains that slide open horizontally. They are "difficult" to operate, they get dirty easily, and they are not very attractive.

We also noticed that the kitchen window has a nice silver mini-blind that can fully open and let lots of light in. Well, Vicky proposed to change all the windows to silver mini-blinds. This was her "baby" project and she ran with it. Before I could regurgitate pragmatic reasons on why not to do it, she had already measured and ordered custom size silver blinds for all the windows. Then, the roles resumed their course: I had to install them :)

Installation was somewhat easy. It was difficult to do the one behind the bed and the ones in the bunk bed area due to lack of space to maneuver. I also removed the upholstered drape covers above the windows. When I finished, I was surprised on how much more light we got and how the trailer felt more spacious and open with the new mini-blinds.

But also, now the trailer feels a little more personal, like taking possession or marking territory. Maybe customizing is like birds nesting, or like dogs peeing in a tree. But for humans, it is a laborious process and a boon for business.