Car Stereo in Fifth Wheel-Product Advice?

[HBarlow]

As anyone who owns one or has looked them over knows, modern travel trailers and fifth wheels are equipped at the factory with cheap and nearly useless audio sound systems in fancy boxes. The come with hand held remotes and lots of led lights but nothing but ChiComm junk inside. They claim to do everthing but make a ham sandwich but mine and the ones I've used won't do anything very well but confuse the operator.

The ones I've used will barely pick up an AM or FM station if parked under the antenna tower and the knobs and buttons are unfathomable to anyone older than 16 years, at least to me.

To make it even worse, they are ac powered and don't work at all unless the owner has a generator or is hooked up in a park. My HH has an Onan generator but if I stop for lunch or drycamp somewhere out of the way overnight I don't want to run the generator just to listen to news or music.

Every time I pull my HitchHiker fifth wheel I promise myself that when I return home I'm going to buy and install a good quality ordinary 12 volt car/truck receiver with strong AM/FM reception, a good antenna, and a decent pair of speakers.

When I get home I look online at all the teenager-oriented hi-tech crap black boxes on the internet and can't even figure out how to turn the stupid things on and off, even when I click to get an exploded view. I HATE teenager electronics with 100 clever and tricky features hidden behind seven or nine indecipherable tiny buttons. Having a fancy black box with numerous tiny buttons and 100 clever features would not make me feel macho or smart. I just want a GD radio!

Can anyone point me at a brand name and/or source for an ordinary but high quality automotive or boat AM/FM receiver. CD player would be nice but is not essential. I would prefer one that actually had an ON/OFF/Volume knob on the left and a tuner knob on the right . . . you know, similar to what my generation called a "RADIO. "

I have looked at Crutchfield and several other websites and all I can find is teenager nonsense.

Your suggestions will be appreciated.

 

[EricBu12]

This looks pretty simple to operate. . (im 43)

Alpine CDE-100 MP3 CD Players - In-Dash Receivers at Onlinecarstereo.com

 

[jelag]

Harvey... .



On our old 5er we had and outside antenna that made a world of difference on our 5er... our new 5er has only the wire that's on the back of the stereo... I played with touching my portable cell phone external atenna to the antenna connection on the back of the radio and it came to life... which tells me that and external antenna would help it as well...



Because we often get to an area where our cell phones don't work. . we have a paint brush extender that is 10 ft long, mounts to the back of the 5er and the cable runs in the side to the kitchen where it plugs into the cell phone external phone jack... .



It my intention to do almost the same thing with the radio antenna... I'm guessing that if I did nothing more than plug it into the TV antenna system it would improve the signal.....



Anyway for me... and our 5er its been the metal frame and other stuff that seems to shield both the cell phone and radio signals... .

 

[HBarlow]

This looks pretty simple to operate. . (im 43)

Alpine CDE-100 MP3 CD Players - In-Dash Receivers at Onlinecarstereo.com

Eric,

Thanks. Among current car audio products I've seen that one looks like one I could operate. I saved the link.

Have you bought anything from that company or know anything about them?

 

[HBarlow]

Harvey... .

On our old 5er we had and outside antenna that made a world of difference on our 5er... our new 5er has only the wire that's on the back of the stereo... I played with touching my portable cell phone external atenna to the antenna connection on the back of the radio and it came to life... which tells me that and external antenna would help it as well...

Because we often get to an area where our cell phones don't work. . we have a paint brush extender that is 10 ft long, mounts to the back of the 5er and the cable runs in the side to the kitchen where it plugs into the cell phone external phone jack... .

It my intention to do almost the same thing with the radio antenna... I'm guessing that if I did nothing more than plug it into the TV antenna system it would improve the signal.....

Anyway for me... and our 5er its been the metal frame and other stuff that seems to shield both the cell phone and radio signals... .

Jim,

I think my system has an antenna. My HH has a typical aftermarket short FM antenna whip mounted on a spring base on the entertainment/desk glide room, just outside the entertainment cabinet. I assume it is connected but haven't tried to trace it. I'm fairly confident it is because I've read comments by other HH owners on the HH Owner Forum who aren't impressed with their poor radio reception either.

 

[seafish]

HB, Alpine has been making high end car audio equipment for many years now... they used to be one of the best designers and manufacturers, but that was years ago, and for all I know, they probably manufacture their equipment in China. That being said, they are still highly rated.



I totally agree with you on the design trend towards zuzu's and whamwhams and lights... I am not sure how to get around it.



Just one idea... I am assuming that your HH takes a standard DIN size car stereo... maybe you could purchase a MOPAR unit off eBay that is the exact model of what you have in your truck, since you are already familiar with its use and design. Just an idea... it would probably take more research to figure EXACTLY if the swap could be done, but I'll bet that with only a little work and ingenuity it could be done.

 

[mickeyblueyes]

Harvey here these radios look old but have new works and are easy to use. Antique Automobile Radio, modern stereo for vintage cars AND they are made in the USA.

 

[AABEN]

Jest go to the junk yard and find one that you like. That way you can save some money. Got one out of a 08 up that you like.

 

[seafish]

Harvey here these radios look old but have new works and are easy to use. Antique Automobile Radio, modern stereo for vintage cars AND they are made in the USA.

Well , I can't say it is good looking at all, but even my Mom could operate that stereo!!! Made in the USA is nice too.

 

[HBarlow]

HB, Alpine has been making high end car audio equipment for many years now... they used to be one of the best designers and manufacturers, but that was years ago, and for all I know, they probably manufacture their equipment in China. That being said, they are still highly rated.

I totally agree with you on the design trend towards zuzu's and whamwhams and lights... I am not sure how to get around it.

Just one idea... I am assuming that your HH takes a standard DIN size car stereo... maybe you could purchase a MOPAR unit off eBay that is the exact model of what you have in your truck, since you are already familiar with its use and design. Just an idea... it would probably take more research to figure EXACTLY if the swap could be done, but I'll bet that with only a little work and ingenuity it could be done.

Seafish,

Actually, my HH has a wood cabinet with an open shelf like a home entertainment cabinet. I can install anything I want in the open space but the framework to support an automotive "radio" will have to be built.

That's not a bad idea to purchase a MOPAR unit like the one in my Ram. I do know how to operate that model.

I guess I could buy one of the installation kits from Wal-Mart or a car stereo installer to connect to the factory female receptacle in order to hook up power and speaker wires.

Is there a particular ebay vendor you are familiar with?

 

[HBarlow]

Harvey here these radios look old but have new works and are easy to use. Antique Automobile Radio, modern stereo for vintage cars AND they are made in the USA.

Mickey,

I had one of those in a street rod '57 Chevy Bel Air Sport Coupe back in the '90s. The one I had was purchased from Classic Chevy or Danchuk, don't remember now, but probably from this manufacturer.

It looked great but performance wasn't much to brag about. The compromise necessary for fitting the electronics into the original space and using two knobs like old-fashioned car radios probably places serious limits on their products.

Pretty pricey also!

 

[HBarlow]

Jest go to the junk yard and find one that you like. That way you can save some money. Got one out of a 08 up that you like.

That's not a bad idea. There are a couple of salvage yards over in Lubbock. I might be able to find one I like sitting on a shelf.

I am so biased against Furds and modern GMs that my own self-imposed selection parameters would limit my choices. Maybe I could find a good MOPAR oem unit sitting on a shelf.

 

[DavidC]

This looks pretty simple to operate. . (im 43)



Alpine CDE-100 MP3 CD Players - In-Dash Receivers at Onlinecarstereo.com

That same stereo is 20. 00 less at crutchfield



Dave

 

[HBarlow]

Thanks, Dave. I found it. Crutchfield's website contains so many products it is difficult to find simple products and information.

 

[AClayton]

Thanks, Dave. I found it. Crutchfield's website contains so many products it is difficult to find simple products and information.

Harvey..... just another suggestion! Would you consider a Sony head unit that plays DVR's and CD's and hook it up to your present TV or even update your HH and have a new flat screen installed! The reason I suggested this is the fact that many TV's can be bought that run off of 12V also and coupled with a 12V Stereo that plays DVD's as well would save space in your entertainment center. Another obvious benefit would be the convience of 'boondocking' without the need of a genset or A/C power hook-up. Just another suggestion is all... ... have had good luck with my set-up and as a sidenote, my batteries were able to keep the TV and stereo on for well over 5hrs. and was still able to start the genset with the remaining battery power left.



Alan

 

[DavidC]

I would think you could call Crutchfield in the morning and tell them what you are looking for and what they suggest. Between that and the junkyard hopping (if that is what you choose)at least you would have a direction. Like you said Crutchfield and other suppliers sites are so large you could spend a lot of useless time there and not remember half of what you looked at.



Dave

 

[Road Dog]

Mopar radios are not DIN. They're around 1. 5 DIN high. A custom mounting bracket and trim panel would be needed and if you're visiting the junk yard be sure to a bunch of the wiring harness too.

I like the ability to play MP3s (you can put 5 - 10 hours on a CD) and iPod integration. I almost never use the radio part.

Yes, a lot of the new decks have a lot of flashy junk on the front.

 

[HBarlow]

Harvey..... just another suggestion! Would you consider a Sony head unit that plays DVR's and CD's and hook it up to your present TV or even update your HH and have a new flat screen installed! The reason I suggested this is the fact that many TV's can be bought that run off of 12V also and coupled with a 12V Stereo that plays DVD's as well would save space in your entertainment center. Another obvious benefit would be the convience of 'boondocking' without the need of a genset or A/C power hook-up. Just another suggestion is all... ... have had good luck with my set-up and as a sidenote, my batteries were able to keep the TV and stereo on for well over 5hrs. and was still able to start the genset with the remaining battery power left.

Alan

Your suggestion is a good one but I really only want to spend $200 - $250 for a decent 12 volt stereo tuner and a pair of speakers and stay low tech. A super sound system would be wasted on my old ears and bad hearing.

 

[HBarlow]

Thanks for a number of excellent suggestions. I've been busy scratching ground and planting grass seed today but I will probably begin to look at my options tomorrow. I may call a salvage yard in Lubbock and also, call Crutchfield and ask for suggestions. A nice new low end "radio" and a pair of basic speakers will probably do everything I need.

 

[Matt42]

Under the circumstances, I'd consider buying the same kind of radio that's in my truck from eBay, and then wiring it up to input voltage, ground and speakers using the TSM wiring diagram. A little wood working may be required, but that's the easy part.



As for Crutchfield, I've been buying from them since about 1981 and have never had reason to be unhappy.