Forum Discussion

eskins's avatar
eskins
Explorer
Nov 12, 2015

Rv electronics upgrade

I bought a 2003 itasca last summer and want to upgrade the tv's etc. rv has what appears to be an original sat dish and a second one with a mount but the dish ismissing. Where is a good place to take this for assessment and upgrade work? Big box electronics stores, i.e. Best Buy, or better to stick with an rv shop? I want the tv's replaced, probably a new dish system, add a CB, wiring is there, etc.

Thanks for any suggestions. I live in Brentwood ca, east of Oakland.
  • RV dealers can install a new Winegard Travler. As for the rest, unless your not capable the rest is pretty easy to do.
  • I wouldn't go to a dealer, I would and am going to an independent that has experience with electronics in a RV.
  • Best Buy has an installation department. You might check with them and they may give you a discount if you buy the TV's there.
  • No Big Box store (Best Buy or similar) is going to want to touch an RV. Yes, they have a TV that will work but how do you expect them to mount it? Not going to happen. They will have EXACTLY ZERO idea of what is required for your RV to receive a satellite TV signal. Last time I checked the Best Buy type stores no longer sold Dish or DirecTV service or hardware anyway.
    You need to go to Quartzsite, AZ this Winter or find a similar option which involves an RV dealer/installer of satellite TV services. If you plan to have these same folks modify your cabinetry for new TV's then you are going to need to get even more specific in your hunt.
    Where are you located? Maybe someone can point you in the right direction for a place to drop those thousands of bucks.
  • Do it yourself. You will learn a lot and have great satisfaction .
    I do all my own. Upgraded tv etc in last two RV's
    If you want direct tv HD you need a winegard traveler. Not that hard to install.
  • There are some very experienced RV outfitters in the Eugene Oregon area.

    Oregon Motorcoach does interior modifications and is a quality vendor IMHO.

    Carrier & Sons has a good reputation also and is nearly next door.

    Do some web surfing and then credential checking.

    Or......do as many of us have done. DIY.

    My front LED TV (replacing a tube type) was installed by me for a cost of about $35. There are lots of pictures and threads on the Web to pattern after.

    Monoprice.com has mounts and a few sticks of wood plus your new TV may be all that is needed.
  • We bought a 2003 Adventurer this year, should be pretty similar to your Itasca. Has a roof mounted dish and also had a tripod and a ton of cables for another dish but no dish.

    I replaced the bedroom TV with a 26" flat screen and the front TV with a 32" one. Replacing the front TV was a real nightmare. Once you remove the plastic surround you find a metal cage the TV sits in. That cage is welded to and hangs from a cross member near the roof. I had to cut the metal cage loose from the cross member to remove it.

    Anyway, it's down now and worked out pretty good.