Entertainment center in 26.5 RB. What are the "pros"?

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Entertainment center in 26.5 RB. What are the "pros"?

October 18, 2020, 09:25:45 pm

Hello!
I am looking at a 2003 26.5 RB for sale that has an entertainment center instead of a over-cab bed. As it will pretty much just be two of us we do not really need the extra sleeping space. I do like the idea of the over-cab bed space as a place to store things out of the way while camping. I am wondering if there is anyone here who prefers the entertainment center option in the RB, and if they could let me know why they do. Thanks, Linda

Re: Entertainment center in 26.5 RB. What are the "pros"?

Reply #1 – October 18, 2020, 10:30:19 pm

Hi, Linda.

I wouldn't say that I "prefer" the entertainment center, but that was the best unit available to me at the time. It has worked out better than expected for my usage in the four years since I bought it. That said, if I had two LDs of equal condition/price from which to choose, I'd pick the one with the cabover bed.

The main advantage, especially if the entertainment center includes the Bose sound system, is that the entertainment experience (OTA television, DVDs, streaming video services, casting photos/videos from your smartphone, etc) is enhanced. My parents (in their late 80s) and various family members greatly enjoyed these things on the occasional family trip.

Although not as good for storing very bulky items, the cabinets of the entertainment center are generous. I try to store lighter items in the upper cabinets and that applies to these forward cabinets.

The main disadvantage is the loss of sleeping space. My niece and a few cousins lament that loss.

~Andrew

Re: Entertainment center in 26.5 RB. What are the "pros"?

Reply #2 – October 18, 2020, 11:18:55 pm

Another consideration which may, or may not, be important to you is that the 2003 models still had the “escape hatch” above the cabover bed. I don’t think the hatch is installed if there is an entertainment center but I could be wrong about that.

Re: Entertainment center in 26.5 RB. What are the "pros"?

Reply #3 – October 19, 2020, 07:41:45 pm

We had the 2006 26.5'RB with entertainment center. I don't remember if the 2003 had the flat screen tv. In ours, the flat screen tv lifted up and there was a large storage area behind it. In earlier years, it wasn't a flat screen, so didn't have that feature or storage. Something to look at closely. The cupboards on either side of the tv offer quite a bit of storage, more than you'd think at first glance.
We had the bunk in our 1994 26' MB but it was used for storage rather than sleeping.

Re: Entertainment center in 26.5 RB. What are the "pros"?

Reply #4 – October 20, 2020, 01:01:11 am

Older LDs can have their TVs upgraded to a larger, modern model. Chris, among others, has done this.
None of the models with the Entertainment Center have an escape hatch.
When the bunk is not used as a bed, many use the area to store lightweight items in plastic bins.
A bunk is more useful, IMO.

Larry

Re: Entertainment center in 26.5 RB. What are the "pros"?

Reply #5 – October 20, 2020, 01:01:57 am

Older LDs can have their TVs upgraded to a larger, modern model. Chris, among others, has done this.
None of the models with the Entertainment Center have an escape hatch.
When the bunk is not used as a bed, many use the area to store lightweight items in plastic bins.
A bunk is more useful, IMO.

Larry

Re: Entertainment center in 26.5 RB. What are the "pros"?

Reply #6 – October 20, 2020, 01:05:21 am

Now that it is just the wife and I we use the overhead area just for storage. A more formal storage would be nice so close to the kitchen. I have been in the upper bunk once, maybe twice. But mostly bedding and very soft stuff gets stored there so if it falls it doesn't hurt. I don't like the viewing position of the tv in the family room/living room / bed room. Not that I am much of the TV watcher. We mostly listen to audible books, or read the kindle. The TV might have 4 hours use in 10 years. Does moving the TV up front give you better cabinets over the driver's side bed?

Re: Entertainment center in 26.5 RB. What are the "pros"?

Reply #7 – October 20, 2020, 10:12:59 am

Quote from: John DaCrema - October 20, 2020, 01:05:21 am

Does moving the TV up front give you better cabinets over the driver's side bed?

John,
The entertainment center isn't an option on the MB or TK. You're stuck with those funky cabinets if you have one of those models.

On the RB or (what's the shortie RB?) with the entertainment center, you'd have regular cabinets like on the passenger side.

Linda

Re: Entertainment center in 26.5 RB. What are the "pros"?

Reply #8 – October 20, 2020, 10:21:13 am

What's a "regular cabinet"? The over-the-couches cabinets in my 2003 TK are spacious and easily accessible; I've never considered them "funky", but maybe the overhead cabinets on newer models are different?

Re: Entertainment center in 26.5 RB. What are the "pros"?

Reply #9 – October 20, 2020, 10:27:44 am

My opinion, which may vary from typical, is that if you wish entertainment from a video screen, it should be positioned to make the experience tolerable from where you sit. A screen that is mounted high and at an awkward neck angle for most seating locations is not one I would use.

Steve

Re: Entertainment center in 26.5 RB. What are the "pros"?

Reply #10 – October 20, 2020, 10:43:02 am

Quote from: Joan - October 20, 2020, 10:21:13 am

What's a "regular cabinet"? The over-the-couches cabinets in my 2003 TK are spacious and easily accessible; I've never considered them "funky", but maybe the overhead cabinets on newer models are different?

Joan, I thought John was talking about the angled cabinet behind the TV. Without the TV in that area, you'd have the long, straight cabinet that matches the passenger side.

Re: Entertainment center in 26.5 RB. What are the "pros"?

Reply #11 – October 20, 2020, 10:49:18 am

"...the angled cabinet behind the TV."
---
OK, got it. The place for a TV in a 2003 TK was a little flip-up shelf at the back end of the driver's side couch; no built-in TV until later model years. I don't have a TV in my rig anyway, so any cabinet configuration is moot.

Re: Entertainment center in 26.5 RB. What are the "pros"?

Reply #12 – October 20, 2020, 11:44:18 am

Quote from: Joan - October 20, 2020, 10:49:18 am

Quote from: Joan - October 20, 2020, 10:49:18 am
"...the angled cabinet behind the TV."
---
OK, got it. The place for a TV in a 2003 TK was a little flip-up shelf at the back end of the driver's side couch; no built-in TV until later model years. I don't have a TV in my rig anyway, so any cabinet configuration is moot.

"...the angled cabinet behind the TV."
---
OK, got it. The place for a TV in a 2003 TK was a little flip-up shelf at the back end of the driver's side couch; no built-in TV until later model years. I don't have a TV in my rig anyway, so any cabinet configuration is moot.

Exactly. I would like the entertainment center up front and the normal LD cabinets along the drivers side. Like I said we are not TV watchers. The extra cabinet space would be much liked.

Re: Entertainment center in 26.5 RB. What are the "pros"?

Reply #13 – October 20, 2020, 12:46:58 pm

Quote from: Steve - October 20, 2020, 10:27:44 am

A screen that is mounted high and at an awkward neck angle for most seating locations is not one I would use.

The typical viewing position is reclined on the couches/beds. Guess how many couch potatoes can fit on the ultra-king sized bed?

Like many here, if I had my 'druthers I would have selected the cabover bed. But since I've got the entertainment center, my family and I have found ways to thoroughly enjoy it. For example, it's a great way to review photos/videos from multiple smartphones after the hikes & explorations of the day.

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