RV / Motorhome Installs?

[md_p97]

I am interested in seeing pics of cb and scanner radio setups in the cabs of the Ford E-350 or E-450 Superduty cutaway RV chassis.

I am planning on installing a Garmin 760 Dezl (RV Windshield mount), a backup camera rearview mirror, A cobra 75WXST cb and a GRE Scanner (600 or 800) all in the Cab. External 12v speaker for each radio as well.

I would also like to see pics of how/where you mounted the antennas. I am thinking a cb side mount antenna to the left side of the coach behind the drivers door, and a tri band side mount scanner antenna on the coach behind the passenger door.

Any pics to help me with ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

[8K10F1E]

Have you considered the common L bracket NMO style mount for the fender?

 

[SCPD]

on the glass

Get an on the glass antenna and put er on that upper window!

 

[md_p97]

Have you considered the common L bracket NMO style mount for the fender?

They make a hood lip mount (angled) specifically for the E-series vans, but i wanted to go higher up with less obstruction for better reception.

Mostly, I am interested for installs over/around the doghouse.

 

[jeepsandradios]

I just did my parents Mini Wini last weekend. Glass mount CB on drivers side and Dual Band Glass mount on passengers side upper windows. They never open either, and even if they did they still open 95% of the way. I did put heat shrink on both as they do touch the rain gutter while moving down the highway. The SWR is good but not great. My father mainly listens (scanner and CB) so he was fine with it. I mounted his CB below his backup monitor (between the visors)

 

[tunnelmot]

The best idea I have come up with is one of the overhead shelves. We used to mount several commercial type radios in our towtrucks that way(one of my past lives). I have a class c sometime in my future and have thought long and hard about the same issue. The problem with the doghouse is that it is intended to be removed for service. I even thought it through enough to have speaker selection switches so that I could route audio to cab,rear,or even outside if so inclined. As for antennas, I would go with fender mount nmo's. The shelf would place the radios up high(not easily seen by parking lot window shoppers), above your driving position(easy to view displays), wouldn't require weird bracket mounting positions drilled into doghouse plastic, and you run your main power up the a-pillars to shelf, then step down to individual connections. Even additions or upgrades in radios are easy. And you never touch your dash or dog house with a drill bit or screws.
Yes, the fendermounts would place your antennas at or below your camper body, but I feel that the performance of a properly grounded and quality nmo will outperform a window mount antenna.


And all this can be removed without any outward clues upon resale or warranty work. After lots of reading on fiberglass installs, etc, that was the best solution I could come up with.

 

[md_p97]

I like the overhead shelf idea...thanks!

I did a quick google search and found some....but only up to 2002 model year, so I'll have to keep looking of fab something of my own.

I also hope to come across an E-350/450 ambulance and take a peak inside and see how they did things.

 

[jasday]

Md,

I'm going to send you a private message.

 

[8K10F1E]

NMO mount an antenna on the camper rooftop, except squeeze a stainless steel plate between the roof and the mount itself.