Recommendations for Replacing Jensen AWM960 Radio Needed

[TracksideNW]

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I'm buying a 2008 Lance 830 and the radio/CD/DVD player combo died and needs to be replaced. The TV has also been replaced and has a DVD player built into it, so I'm really just looking for a radio/bluetooth that will allow me to plug in the audio from the TV. I wondered if someone could offer some help/suggestions as to what I should look at replacing it with? Anyone have a radio they really like?

Thanks for your help.

Moderator edit to re-size picture to forum recommended limit of 640px maximum width.

[BStrummin]

I've been working on project related to this, but the stereo itself has been the last piece I haven't touched yet as we don't listen to music/tv throughout the trailer that much. What I have done though is taken out the old unit and used a piece of white plexiglass (our trailer is all white inside) that covers the old hole. I added a 12v plug outlet to one corner using the power feed in the old harness. Next steps are a couple of USB charging outlets in the panel and then a speaker selector of some kind. The selector is what is holding it up as I can't find one I like that will work for 3 pairs and that I can integrate into the panel. I might pick up something like this http://amzn.com/B004TBF90C and see if I can hack it apart so that I can just have the 3 switches in my panel with the guts hidden behind. Then the final piece would be a single DIN auto receiver with bluetooth and 3.5 in of which there are plenty.

[TracksideNW]

Right on thanks for all the suggestions its much appreciated!

[Harley_Dude]

I'm just now installing a Pioneer double din 2700BT unit in place of the lousy Jensen that came with my Jayco. It's an easy mod. I bought the Pioneer from Best Buy....I like the 30 day return policy. Four screws to get the Jensen out. Unplug antenna, audio cables, etc. I marked the in and out cables left in the cabinet. Unclip the speaker harness. Now match up the pioneer wires to match the Jensen setup. I used butt connectors. All matched in colour. Plug in antenna, USB cable, audio/video cables, wiring harness......all should work. No outside speakers and no DVD image on the Pioneer screen....does play on the TV. I got a piece of matching wood to make a new face plate and ordered a trim ring for the head unit. When done, will look near factory.

Here's a video to get you started....he's got a few good tips there....I expanded on his mounting method a bit...PM me if you have questions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zT68lTEexsA

[goducks10]

Only issue with car stereos is you need to provide a speaker switching box if you want sound in 3 areas. If you play the outside speakers at all then that would be an issue without a switching box. And you can't play DVDs as well. You would need to add a DVD player.

On our last TT the el cheapo Touch Audio stereo went out. I just bought a cheap Sony car stereo. I fab'd a wood plate to fill the hole. Cut out the opening in it for the Sony. Worked great. No outside speakers though. And we did add a DVD player plus a small 3 speaker PC sound system. Worked well for the few times we watch movies.



Totally agree on Jensen being junk. While OEM auto radios aren't always the best they at least usually last a long time.

I see that Outdoor RV puts a Pioneer unit in their trailers. Might be worth a call if you want to maintain the RV speaker setup.

[westend]

You can buy any size of car head unit and buy the accessory fascia plates or trim rings to make it a good looking installation. I don't own one but the Jensen looks like a 2.5 DIN unit.

[BurbMan]

I love Crutchfield myself, but that hole is much bigger than double-DIN size. There are tons of quality options if you browse the Crutchfield site, but whatever you choose be prepared to fabricate some kind of a mounting plate top cover the old hole.

Also agree that the Jensen is not the best quality, but I found that replacing the factory speakers with good quality Infinity 5 1/4" coaxials make a hug difference, and the powered sub that the factory added also helps the sound a lot.

In our old Sunnybrook, the stereo was absolute junk, and I replaced it with a single-DIN unit and converted the old mounting location into a CD storage rack. Hard to see in the picture, but there is a 1/4" lip on the lower edge of the opening that keeps the CDs from sliding out. Just lift the CD over the lip to remove.

The wires above are for the Roady XM receiver.



I also added the 12v outlet and shelf above the door to have a safe place to charge my cell phone.

[Ron3rd]

Jensen is very low-end and overpriced. You can get decent major brand for the same or less money.

[Two_Hands]

We had a Magnadyne in the Southwind we just traded in. We hated that radio.

[Hornnumb2]

I have the Jensen that came out of my 2015 coachman that would work for you.

[Beverley_Ken]

x2 on Crutchfield. We got a Pioneer unit MVH-X560BT, has Blue Tooth. When we purchased, it came with the wiring adapter, adapter to go from the Double size to single with storage compartment. Has a remote as well. Very easy to install, works great.

Crutchfield has a very large selection, in all sizes, features and price ranges.

Ken

[donn0128]

Crutchfield.com lists dozens of double din head units that will fit in the hole.