Forum Discussion

kfp673's avatar
kfp673
Explorer II
Oct 24, 2013

Audio / Video Pet Peeve

Just wanted to vent for a minute. Maybe I am picky having worked in the Audio/Video field for the last 15 years but it drives me nuts at the complete lack of wire management on ever toy hauler and RV 5er/TT I have ever seen. We saw the new Momentum by grad design for example at a show which is beautiful TH and even that had wires all over the place. I don't understand why it is so hard for these companies to fish wires to the spot where the TV/entertainment system will actually live. There are some TH's that have TV's over the main door and the cable jack will be on the bottom of the shelf that holds the TV. It will then have a piece of coax looping back up to the TV. Why not Just have the jack behind the TV where it would be hidden? Instead you have this ugly wall plate and a loop of coax going back up to where it came from??? Why have AV jacks mounted in the ceiling in a garage of a TH instead of fishing 6 more inches down the wall to be behind the TV? It really looks cheap and like they really don't care. I know I am being picky but I just can't believe how little effort they put into a clean AV install in just about every RV I have seen. OK, off my soap box :-)
Toy Haulers
  • Arch_Stanton's avatar
    Arch_Stanton
    Explorer
    Oct 26, 2013
    This is a pet peeve of mine. I am an admittedly anal guy when it comes to this stuff, I've built several custom vehicles of various types and wired several more, from scratch, (show winners) before the nice new harnesses became available.
    Our Eclipse Attitude is wired (on the 12v side) like 99% of the RV's I've seen, which means by someone in a hurry without much skill.
    I am going to be spending about a year going through it, pulling the dang wire-nuts and junk off of it and soldering every connection that I can. The ones I can't hit with solder will get ANCOR marine style glue/shrink crimp connectors. I've already picked up a couple of terminal blocks and junctions to clean up the mess.
    Like I said, I am pretty obsessive about this stuff, but there is the right way, and then everything else. And there is a lot of everything else rolling around out there.
    With all of the aftermarket harness/loom companies out there you'd think the manufacturers would be looking for a custom harness that their workers can just install, secure in place, connect up, and be done.
    Rant over. sorry, touchy spot with me.
  • Strabo's avatar
    Strabo
    Explorer
    Oct 26, 2013
    We have direct tv (Gennie) service in the hauler, we had to rewire the whole rig with the special HD cable, connectors and preamp system. Works great and we use 2 lcd tv's, one in main living area, one in master bedroom. Tried to keep the wiring nice.
  • katoomer's avatar
    katoomer
    Explorer
    Oct 26, 2013
    Our 2009 motorhome was wired somewhat neatly but was about 10 yrs behind the times. No HDMI, all componenet video. far too complicated and complex. I rewired everything and did a huge upgrade to all the components. No we have inside and outside systems that would embarrass most home systems. That's what happens when you are an OCD audiophile.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Oct 25, 2013
    Sprink-Fitter wrote:
    For me and the wife, we don't understand why some rv's have so many tv's, we have camped for two weeks at a time and never had a tv and it didn't bother us at all, I can understand full timers having a tv or two but why so many?

    To us camping is spent outside, we go in to sleep or use the bathroom.


    For us as FT'rs......To keep up with local news/weather where ever we might be & for movie night. We use OTA antenna.

    Prior to going FT we didn't have an TVs in our trailers, just a radio.
  • Sprink-Fitter's avatar
    Sprink-Fitter
    Explorer
    Oct 25, 2013
    For me and the wife, we don't understand why some rv's have so many tv's, we have camped for two weeks at a time and never had a tv and it didn't bother us at all, I can understand full timers having a tv or two but why so many?

    To us camping is spent outside, we go in to sleep or use the bathroom.
  • Steve_O_Reno's avatar
    Steve_O_Reno
    Explorer
    Oct 25, 2013
    On the external cable hook up on mine. The only way it works is to plug the cable in to the satellite feed. the other 2 tvs cant get cable by any method except running it on the floor.

    Dont even look behind a elec panel
  • soonernation's avatar
    soonernation
    Explorer
    Oct 25, 2013
    I'm with you.

    This was one of the reasons we picked the trailer we have. While they all have their QC issues, there are little things that make a difference to me. I looked at some units that conveyed a high end look but would have the coax connection and electrical plug exposed either above or below the TV.
  • BIKERK9's avatar
    BIKERK9
    Explorer
    Oct 25, 2013
    It all comes down to dollars and cents. Connection boxes are an added expense.
    Saving on materials and labor where and when ever possible keeps the construction and MSRP costs down.
  • owenssailor's avatar
    owenssailor
    Explorer
    Oct 25, 2013
    The TV in my Jayco is mounted on a panel that is hinged. All the connections are in the space behind the TV. Adding cable to connect computer etc is simple since the TV swings out so can get at the back. The rest of the time it looks build in. And no - it has never swung open by accident.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Oct 25, 2013
    Them factory installers are just that.........piece mill installers.

    "Hey.....grab that spool of wire and run it"
    "Where to?"

    "Goes from over here to over there"
    "OK"

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