I posted this pre-hack, but I thought I'd post it again for anyone looking for ideas about how to permanently mount a stereo without taking up valuable storage or cutting holes.

I used a boating stereo cabinet, a Poly-Planar WC-70 that comes with a surface mounting bracket.

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Got some surface-mount 120 watt speakers with enclosures and mounted the entire setup under the cabinet below the rear dinette.

The antenna installation was the most challenging, and I found a Tune Trapper TT2C internal mount hidden antenna that mounts inside the cabinets and required no drilling through the hull. It really works!

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Here is one source for the antenna; I bought mine from a vendor on eBay.

Tune Trapper antenna source

Roger

Here's the stereo installed:

The stereo mounted in the box:

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One of the speakers mounted:

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The stereo install from below:

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And the entire system installed:

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Ahhhhh, beautiful! Love those cabinets! Now, I can see why you have left the Burro crowd. Thanks for sharing your mod again, Roger.

You're welcome Donna. You know, as much as I liked the technical features of the Burro, and for all it's good points, it always felt sterile. It was easy to clean, and didn't require any maintenance to the wood. But one of the best descriptions I'd read was that "it feels like living inside a refrigerator". Somehow the Scamp just feels more comfortable, less like a 'camper' and more like someplace to spend time 'cause you want to. That has become important to me because of the way I use the trailer as a home away from home rather than as a 'camper'.

Roger

Donna and Roger:
I have apologized to my Burro for that "refrigerator" remark, but as you noted, there is something to it. As a woodworker I'd love to be let loose on the thing, but my wife likes it as light and airy as it is and I'd like to keep the weight down too. My master plan is to incrementally sneak more wood into it, hopefully without her noticing my sinister plan.
Part of the plan is to stop using the honduras mahogany and use something light-colored like maple. Eventually I'd like to take those five curved compartment doors and make frame and panel replacements for them (see picture). A formidable woodworking challenge, but I can visualize the results. It helps to have no compunction about changing the original items.

Thanks for this is very useful thread. Been wondering precisely how to satisfy minimal needs for entertainment/tunes/news/weather/etc., during recreational quiet hour on the road. You can get sick of reading reading reading. I do need my passive dumb-down time.

I really like that stereo set up, Roger. After seeing what you've done I will be looking to install something similar. Tune Trapper antenna, eh? Got to have one of those. Not too many obvious under cabinet installation options in der Burro, though. At least the double hull allows for snaking wires just about everywhere.