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Pinball Machine In RV
Yahoo Message Number: 148376
Okay this is probably one of the craziest ideas I have come up with. Has anyone ever installed an arcade style pinball machine in an RV? It is a lifelong hobby of mine to play these and I figured out a way to fit one in my LD. I question if it can take the shock of constant jarring and vibration from traveling.

Since I'm currently in Nevada stopped in at a major maker of slot machines and pinball games and spoke with some engineers about it. One said they can handle it. "We have kids that beat on these things for hundreds of hours trying to break them."

I have reservations about removing one of my rear couches to make this fit but I rarely use it so in essence it is currently wasted space. I have figured out a way to use the space that would be left under the machine for an additional toy so that's not a concern.

Does anyone know how much the couch (passenger side) in a TK model weighs? Can the floor take a large bolt approx. 1.5 inch long being drilled into it?

Bob
Re: Pinball Machine In RV
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 148378
That certainly will be a unique modification, Bob! The one thing that strikes me is that you'll have to be extra careful about leveling the rig... unless you can find a way to add easily adjustable levelers to the legs of the pinball machine.

Andy Baird

Travels with Andy
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Pinball Machine In RV
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 148379
Most pinball machines come with levelers on the feet but they are limited in length, perhaps an inch or so. But I can't think of a better measurement of how good I leveled the rig than to watch the metal balls inside. I will have to find something better than the elemental fluid levelers I have now in the cab. I will visit a gunsmith I know who developed a small level sight glass with a stick on adhesive and bubble with a circle in the middle.
It could work.

Bob
Re: Pinball Machine In RV
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 148380
I think a better idea would be to install a horse shoe pit both in the back of the coach and another towards the front.  Think of the fun you guys could have.
Re: Pinball Machine In RV
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 148386
IMO:

1. If the machine breaks loose in a sudden stop or unexpected sharp turn or big bump you are looking at a LOT of possible damage to it, the coach and the occupants.
2. I cannot imagine fitting it in comfortably even in my former 44 foot 4 slide Tiffin Allegro Bus.
3. Leveling will be an endless problem.

Personally, I would never attempt what you propose.
Re: Pinball Machine In RV
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 148390
"If the machine breaks loose in a sudden stop or unexpected sharp turn..."

I won't say it could never happen... but in a twin/king, the pinball machine's ability to move fore and aft would be limited by the rear wall and the wardrobe. It couldn't go very far, and it certainly could not come flying forward to hit a passenger in the back of the head. (And it couldn't hit the driver in the back of the head, because the bathroom is behind the driver's seat.)

Sharp turns? Well, assuming it's bolted down well (and that was obviously Bob's intention), I'm going to guess that any turn that generated enough g force to tear the machine loose and throw it sideways would probably roll the coach, in which case you'd have worse things to worry about.

There is probably some increased risk in doing this... but it may not be as much as it would appear.

I think many of us have the gut reaction "Why would you go to all this trouble just so you can drive out into the wilderness... and then sit indoors playing pinball?" But I'm out in the wilderness sitting indoors and typing on my computer right now. How is that different? ;-)

Andy Baird

Travels with Andy
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Pinball Machine In RV
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 148391
I appreciate the input both positive and negative. Yes it would be bolted to the floor and braced to prevent movement. As Andy pointed out there is little room for it to move in a TK model. My biggest concern is weight. I'm nearly at the CCC now. What I need to find out is how much weight will I get rid of by removing the passenger side couch vs. gain from the machine.

As far as sitting inside playing all day not me. An occasional game is good to get my fix. I used to go to arcades to play these but they are dying out.

Since I have decided to keep my LD until I go to the great beyond, some personalization is in order. Have a good idea what I could use the space underneath pinball machine for.

Bob 01 23.5 TK with toys in toy.
Re: Pinball Machine In RV
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 148394
I wish the pinball guy nothing but success.  However, I would not bet the rent money that a heavy pinball machine designed to be used on a solid, stationary floor will NOT break loose in an erratically moving RV.  But in the end it's his pinball machine, his RV, his well-being.

As for a laptop computer, well, I've been there, done that for a loooong time.  Piece of cake.   ;-))
Re: Pinball Machine In RV
Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 148398
While one might tighten down a machine and it might not break loose, what might happen to the "innards" of the machine while rocketing down the highway...are these machines sensitive to rock-and-roll'in as we all do on whatever roads we travel?

TinaP 2006 MB...Whose only appreciation of a "Pinwall Wizard" is of "The Who"...
2006 MB
Re: Pinball Machine In RV
Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 148401
Thank you for your input. I liked all the WHO stuff about Tommy the pinball wizard. I'll think of that while enjoying my game.

Bob
Re: Pinball Machine In RV
Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 148403
"what might happen to the 'innards' of the machine while rocketing down the highway... are these machines sensitive to rock-and-roll'in as we all do on whatever roads we travel?"

Tina, perhaps you missed Bob's original post, in which he said:

I stopped in at a major maker of slot machines and pinball games and spoke with some engineers about it. One said they can handle it. "We have kids that beat on these things for hundreds of hours trying to break them."

Andy Baird

Travels with Andy
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Pinball Machine In RV
Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 148405
Andy, I can only thank you for all of your positive responses. I really don't know if you like pinball but you obviously have an open mind for new ideas. Thank you. I am encouraged thanks to folks like you.

Bob 01 23.5 TK with toys in tow
Re: Pinball Machine In RV
Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 148406
As for a laptop computer, well, I've been there, done that for a loooong time.  Piece of cake.   ;-))

Why not try an IPAD with a good mount from the folks at RAM. Better battery life than a laptop, much better operating system than a Windows machine, great GPS and Engine APPS available, etc.

Bob Windows certified MCSE but Apple operating system superior
Re: Pinball Machine In RV
Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 148414
HA! ;-) Do get one that makes coffee and lubes the caliper slides, too!

Joan
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Pinball Machine In RV
Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 148416
To this I can only say one thing:

Face piles of trials with smiles, for it riles them to believe you perceive the web they weave, and keep on thinking free.

From the Moody Blues...
Bob 01 23.5 TK with toys in tow