Hi,We are looking to purchase a new Winnebago Vista 31be ( that's the bunkhouse floor plan). The Thor ACE 30.2 is a near identical floor plan along with a couple of other manufacturers. I think it works really well for my family and how we intend to use it.There is one issue though that my wife and I really don't like, but it is common to all of the aforementioned models. That is the big TV mounted directly over the dinette. I understand there's really no better place for it, but it really blocks the view for the kids seated at the dinette during travel. We would much rather have a large window there as opposed to the two tiny windows on either side the of the 40" tv, which hopefully we won't even use that often.So the question then comes to say is it possible to mount the TV o to a retractable mount that swings it up to the ceiling when not in use. I could design and build something if you can't find it commercially. But then what I would really want is to cut out a new window to encompass the whole wall where the tv was and the two small windows are in the full wall slide. Is this crazy to do in a relatively brand new unit (2016). Am I just asking for trouble structurally or due to water leakage? I asked the dealer about it and he recommended against it for destroying the value of the RV, water damage etc. But as is, I just see the TV being in the way blocking the view for the kids.Any thoughts or suggestions or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. This would be our first ever RVThanks,Sid

I got one of these from Amazon and it works fine. I put a TV in a storage bay and it stays up during travel.

I have the the same unit (31BE), IMO the tv is actually in the perfect location it can be used effectively while traveling and is straight across from couch. I have seen other bunk floorplans where they TV is covered by the slide, what where they thinking with kids traveling!?Anything can be done, but I would worry about slide structure and cost of a large rv window. Just doesn't seem worth it, you can still get views out that side and when camping that side is usually looking at neighbors. Most of the view when driving even for the kids is out the front window and there is a large passenger side window behind couch. I couldn't see a place to effectively mount a TV from the ceiling and still use while traveling, also routing new power and antenna will be tough work through foam core ceiling.31BE is a great coach, perfect size while still having bunks, Almost bought the ACE 30.2 then the 31BE came out, much more basement storage, higher floor with no step up to drivers area, generally better quality than the ACE.

Removing the TV or mounting it differently shouldn't be too difficult.Changing the window arrangement would be a fairly significant structural change to the motorhome, and far from trivial. At the very least, consult with the manufacturer before trying this; you might be able to get a plan of the wall framing in the area to at least see what you're up against.

I expect cutting a window would void the MH warranty. You might want to look at the bedroom TV ceiling mount in the Winnebago 36Y model.

I'd talk to Winnebago about this directly. I'd be concerned about structural integrity if you put in your own window. I'm not sure Winnebago would do it, but it's worth talking with them to see about customizing the unit. We've had a Winnebago bunk unit for 10 years, been a great unit as out kids grew up and we still take it with them even though they are in college. My only suggestion would be to look around at at used Sightseer 35J - one think I like about our is the space and not feeling like we're all on top of each other. I haven't seen your unit in person, but as I did the virtual tour it seemed tight. Just a thought.

Modifying a new Winnebago | Good Sam Community

K_Charles
Explorer
Jan 16, 2017
I got one of these from Amazon and it works fine. I put a TV in a storage bay and it stays up during travel.
jharrell
Explorer
Jan 16, 2017
I have the the same unit (31BE), IMO the tv is actually in the perfect location it can be used effectively while traveling and is straight across from couch. I have seen other bunk floorplans where they TV is covered by the slide, what where they thinking with kids traveling!?

Anything can be done, but I would worry about slide structure and cost of a large rv window. Just doesn't seem worth it, you can still get views out that side and when camping that side is usually looking at neighbors. Most of the view when driving even for the kids is out the front window and there is a large passenger side window behind couch. I couldn't see a place to effectively mount a TV from the ceiling and still use while traveling, also routing new power and antenna will be tough work through foam core ceiling.

31BE is a great coach, perfect size while still having bunks, Almost bought the ACE 30.2 then the 31BE came out, much more basement storage, higher floor with no step up to drivers area, generally better quality than the ACE.
DrewE
Explorer II
Jan 16, 2017
Removing the TV or mounting it differently shouldn't be too difficult.

Changing the window arrangement would be a fairly significant structural change to the motorhome, and far from trivial. At the very least, consult with the manufacturer before trying this; you might be able to get a plan of the wall framing in the area to at least see what you're up against.
garyemunson
Explorer II
Jan 17, 2017
I expect cutting a window would void the MH warranty. You might want to look at the bedroom TV ceiling mount in the Winnebago 36Y model.
Y-Guy
Moderator
Jan 17, 2017
I'd talk to Winnebago about this directly. I'd be concerned about structural integrity if you put in your own window. I'm not sure Winnebago would do it, but it's worth talking with them to see about customizing the unit.

We've had a Winnebago bunk unit for 10 years, been a great unit as out kids grew up and we still take it with them even though they are in college. My only suggestion would be to look around at at used Sightseer 35J - one think I like about our is the space and not feeling like we're all on top of each other. I haven't seen your unit in person, but as I did the virtual tour it seemed tight. Just a thought.
crasster
Explorer II
Jan 17, 2017
Change the TV location, or even get a different size tv to fit somewhere else. I'm with you OP, nothing should block windows while traveling.
Mr_Mark1
Explorer
Jan 17, 2017
Mr. Sid,

For the money that you would be spending to make changes to the Vista 31BE, you could move up to the Vista LX 35B or Sunstar LX 35B (looks to be the same unit both with bunks) that has a big window by the dinette. The plus is it has a bath and a half.

On unit that you are reviewing (31BE), be careful if it has the Schwintek slide on the that huge full wall slide. Many threads here on RV.net on Schwintek.

Good luck,
MM.
jharrell
Explorer
Jan 17, 2017
crasster wrote:
Change the TV location, or even get a different size tv to fit somewhere else. I'm with you OP, nothing should block windows while traveling.

The TV does not block windows, there is not a window behind the TV, there are two small windows on each side of the TV that you can see out while traveling or camped.

The OP wants to cut out the wall behind the TV and and turn the two little windows into one big one.
jharrell
Explorer
Jan 17, 2017
Mr.Mark wrote:
Mr. Sid,

For the money that you would be spending to make changes to the Vista 31BE, you could move up to the Vista LX 35B or Sunstar LX 35B (looks to be the same unit both with bunks) that has a big window by the dinette. The plus is it has a bath and a half.

Its also much more money and longer. I had a length limitation I could not fit something as big as the 35B in my drivewway, plus after using mine for a year I actually like the shorter length for getting into various campground and boondocking. But a big issue is also budget, the 35B is about 20-30k more than the 31BE.

If the OP has the money and and is ok with the length the 35B is an obvious upgrade, although on the TV its blocked by the slide, which means kids can't watch going down the road, It does have larger windows on the drivers side though.

Mr.Mark wrote:

On unit that you are reviewing (31BE), be careful if it has the Schwintek slide on the that huge full wall slide. Many threads here on RV.net on Schwintek.

The 31BE does not use Schwintek slides, Thor does on the ACE. Winnebago switched to Powergear across the board in 2016 due to Schwintek issues from my understanding. The 31BE is Powergear, very different track design and I have had no issues with or have heard of any.
Mr_Mark1
Explorer
Jan 17, 2017
Jharrel, you are correct in that it does cost more but the base starting price for the Winnebago Vista is $97,525 and the Vista LX is $114,848 (a little over a $17K difference).

The OP said the TV was not an important item.

MM.

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