Install stereo or not

[Hargus]

Hi all, I posted in general but I'm looking for feedback any ideas.
I'm trying to pass the time until camping season thinking about mods for the PU. I got a portable "boom box" (radio with tape/cd) for Christmas. I have always used an old radio while camping. It isn't fancy but it works. I think the days of needing a "boom box" for camping are gone. We usually have a little country on during the day or early evening.
I got to thinking, I've seen stereos installed in PUs but I don't know if I've seen speakers on the outside of a PU. I can think of a lot of pluses and minuses to it one of which is cutting into the outside skin of my PU or how the wet weather would be on the speakers over time. But in this day and age you can do anything and there are so many different products out there.
We upgraded a couple of years ago with a newer PU. It came with a rv antenna on the roof and I figured I could use that to get improved reception.
I'm sure I can get some feed back out there to help me with my decision.
Thanks

[tlhdoc]

For me it would not be worth the hassle.  I wouldn't want to put any holes in the side of the PU that I didn't have too.  Also I have camped on some campsites that are "backward".  That is the fire ring is on the drivers side of the PU, not on the side of the PU that the door is on.  If you mounted your speakers on the curb side of the PU and were sitting on the opposite side at your fire ring, you would have to crank the music to hear it.  You could also have a tree in front of the speaker blocking the sound.

[Hargus]

For me it would not be worth the hassle.  I wouldn't want to put any holes in the side of the PU that I didn't have too.  Also I have camped on some campsites that are "backward".  That is the fire ring is on the drivers side of the PU, not on the side of the PU that the door is on.  If you mounted your speakers on the curb side of the PU and were sitting on the opposite side at your fire ring, you would have to crank the music to hear it.  You could also have a tree in front of the speaker blocking the sound.

Good point. That's one of the reasons I'm thinking of installing a built in stereo in the PU and just having some portable speakers to put where ever. I want to get some use out of the thoughtful gift I got, I don't want to carry anything else. If I return it and get a car stereo I might use it more than a "boom box" in the PU.  My point is I just want to set up and turn on the radio to the baseball game or some country.
No "hip hop parties"  :yikes: at my campsite.  One of the things that was on my PU when I got it was an rv antenna. I'm hoping to use that to get better reception, hopefully. Thanks.

[tknick]

You could always hardwire the stereo inside, but wire up plugs for the speakers (portable type) on both sides of the pu.  that way you could put something like an outdoor outlet cover over the connections when not in use and keep them weather tight.  you could also put them on both sides to make sure you could use them no matter what the campsite configuration.  

Another idea is to use the "boom box" you have and run the speaker wire through one of the openings b/w the tent and the pu body (this assumes detachable speakers).  then you can make the speaker wire as long as you need to place the speakers anywhere you want.

It really depends on what you are going for.  if you just want a little music and to hear the game every now and then, the boom box would be the easiest and simplest solution.  BUT, if you want the coolest and neatest solution, that would involve installing a car stereo, exterior speakers, etc.  It just depends on how confortable you would be in installing the stereo, weatherproofing the holes you would have to put in the pu, etc.

good luck with whatever you choose!  if you do decide on the tricked out custom install, please post some photos!

[wavery]

You might want to think about getting a wireless headset. That way you can listen to whatever you want and not worry about bothering anyone else.

Most people go camping to get away from that stuff and listen to nature. To each their own. It sure is nice to see your neighbors smile and be friendly though  as apposed to looking over and seeing this  :mad:  from your neighbors.

[scottab96]

You might also consider looking into some of the wireless speaker options that are availabile out there.  Might be easier if you decide to go with the car stereo option.

[Hargus]

You might also consider looking into some of the wireless speaker options that are availabile out there.  Might be easier if you decide to go with the car stereo option.

Thanks all, I'm leaning toward hard wiring a stereo inside the PU and having plug ins on the outside of the PU. I don't want to make any unnecessary holes in my unit either. I haven't given up on the possiblities of wireless speakers though. The next time I'm out I'm going to give them a look. I got some as a gift a couple of years back the problem with them I thought was they needed a power source (plug in or D battery). I'm sure they still need a power source, but things about them may have changed in some years since I had them. I love the sounds of nature, especially if I'm camping near a brook or stream. But I also enjoy sitting relaxing outside with some of my own music or baseball. I like to keep aware of the noise I make and what time it is because I know sound travels. But I don't want to carry or store any more gear if the PU can do it.
 :eyecrazy: Thinking about mods for my PU is the way I'm passing time until the season gets near. :tent: