Car Stereo in Fifth Wheel-Product Advice?

[Jim Smith]

Try a Mopar radio and cd changerq

Rv radio and cd players mostly junk. I would like to use an automotive radio setup with cd changer plus seek and scan capability. This would certainly help when traveling and not knowing the station numbers.

 

[Jerky]

I had the same problem. Found a nice little car radio that plays cd's, cassette and AM/FM. Digital readout etc. Had to buy an antenna plug adapter and audio out connector and it works great. The radio was out of a KIA several years old.

 

[HBarlow]

I just got off the phone with a Crutchfield Audio telephone sales rep.

I weighed all the suggestions offered here and ultimately decided I would probably be better off with a new AM/FM/CD changer with a generic underdash mount kit and a new pair of automotive speakers.

The new receiver will have to be mounted in a home style cabinet, the stereo cabinet of my fifth wheel, and I think this will be easier to install than trying to cobble a take-out MOPAR unit in without anything to hold it in place.

I talked to Crutchfield "experts" on two different occasions and considered their suggestions. Ultimately, the one I spoke with today, reviewing the various receiver tuner sensitivity specs, suggested an Alpine CDE 102 which is similar to and a slight upgrade from what Eric suggested a week ago. I like the look and perceived simplicity of the Alpine front panel and think I'll like this unit.

As I wrote before, simplicity is important in my choice. I despise the youth oriented face plates with a dozen or more gee whiz multi-function buttons and would probably need an owners manual and a phone call to Crutchfield's tech assist line everytime I wanted to one of the high tech receiver.

Thanks for all the helpful suggestions.

 

[DavidC]

Thanks for the update, let us know how the install goes, maybe pictures?



Dave

 

[jtwcummins]

The 5ver in my sig had a Coby AM/FM/CD/DVD 'residential', means 120VAC, and it was crap. Tossed it and replaced with a JVC auto unit that is a AM/FM/CD/DVD/MP3 head w/o the built in screen. Used a Crutchfield univesal under dash mount, can be used on top or bottom of a shelf. Replaced the front speakers with an old Bose setup I had and got a marine ant, short rubber like stub, then installed. Had to get 12VDC to cabinet and wired to stereo and a 3 plug auto pwr adapter. The JVC controls my iPod and sat radio is connected to front AUX jack. Also, can connect TV to AUX for good sound if I want to. Nice thing is I can listen to radio/iPod/sat radio w/o any hookups. Everything is 12 volt and the radio reception is very good.



To watch a movie just insert DVD and it outputs video to the TV and plays audio in 4 channel stereo. Whole setup cost about $230. 00

 

[HBarlow]

You're way ahead of me. That's basically what I have in mind but I can't completely junk the residential style pos sound system that came with the trailer because the television is connected through it and uses the residential sound system speakers.

Older travel trailers I have owned always had a standard 12 volt automotive radio and speakers. They were usually cheapos but easy to upgrade with a better quality receiver.

 

[jtwcummins]

Keep the original speakers, I kept the rear speakers. My JVC is now connected to the TV for watching movies from DVD. I did replace the 27" tube TV last yr with a Visio 26" LCD I found on sale. 12volts was fairly simple since my stereo/tv was in a cab with the furnace underneath. Tapped in there , or at water pump, and used a 12v noise filter on the power. Put the sat and radio ant in very top of cabinet and both work fine. Going to mount on roof when the rain and snow and wind from global warming stop.



Helped a neighbor who wanted surround sound in his trailer. Never dry camps so we bought a reasonable set of compuer speakers, 5. 1 surround with a powered sub, for about $90. 00 and connected to the headphone jack on TV. Can adjust volume with the TV remote being careful not to go full volume and cause distortion. Speakers do an electronic simulation of true surround, but works pretty good and the sub gives the kick needed for movies. Speakers were for gaming, lots of power and bass if you want it.

 

[DShore]

I wanted to put a car radio in my Toybox... checked with one of the suppliers that supplies adapter plugs, etc. to interchange radios. I was informed that if I wanted an automotive radio to work in a trailer as a stand-alone unit I would have to get one out of a pre-2000 vehicle. Because, 2000 and later vehicles the radios are controlled thru the computer... so much for that idea. I am now looking at Marine units... found one online at a marine supplier called Overton's. This marine CD/MP3 PLAYER has a USB port and SD card slot for external audio input... AM/FM-MPX PPL tuning receiver... 4 x 25 watt output... USB flash thumb drive... Four 6. 5" dual cone waterproof speakers, etc. The price seems reasonable at $150... they also advertise a rubber antenna for $10. I am looking at other marine suppliers for the best bang for the buck.

 

[tempforce]

i bought a after market sony with mp3 cd abilities. i made a face plate to mount it in. and hooked up to the trailers oem wiring. then the speakers were replaced with infinity units.

next time i will go with the automotive dvdr, sat, digital am/fm units. with a led t. v. to a real digital t. v. antenna, not that goofy gullwing.

all 12v. so i don't have to sit in the dark doing nothing, with my neighbors when the power goes out.

currently i have battery back up's on all of my enertainment systems.