Do you feel like driving and camping would be so much more enjoyable with a good sound system? Unless you learn how to install car speakers in an RV the correct way, even top-end audio gear won’t give you any benefits.

You may be wondering if this is a complicated task. The answer is no, not really. Luckily, most speaker installations in vehicles are easy and relatively quick. What’s more, you probably already have all the tools you’ll need for the job.

However, it’s important that you do everything properly, and this takes some know-how. That is true regardless of whether you’re looking to do something simple, such as upgrading your door speakers, or a more complex task, such as installing an elaborate new sound system.

Although it may seem a bit daunting for a beginner to make holes in the walls, the right instructions will make it easy even if you have no experience. Almost anyone can learn how to install car speakers in an RV.

You Should Install Better Speakers in Your RV

Since an RV is your home on the road, making it feel like a home is essential. A good sound system to enjoy your favorite songs and media will make your stops so much more enjoyable. And let’s not forget that you can hook it up to a TV in your RV for movies, games, and more.

Sure, you can set up a simple wireless speaker, but it won’t give you the same level of audio quality. Bringing a sound system and plugging it in using a messy makeshift setup won’t give you a nice stay either. Therefore, it’s best to learn how to install car speakers in an RV.

There are many more reasons, including all the same reasons you’d want better speakers in your car. For example, the ability to drown out the sounds of a lively family or other company can be a godsend when you need to focus on long road trips.

Then, as most RV owners know, there’s the DIY factor. If you know how to do it yourself, it’s cheaper and far more efficient than taking your RV into the shop for minor fixes and changes constantly.

Plus, it simply heightens the overall driving and camping experience. That’s why every RV enthusiast should know how to install car speakers in an RV.

Common Speaker Types

Car speakers come in a few different varieties. Essentially, there are four main types.

First, there are drivers. These are the typical speakers that provide most of the midrange and treble sound. Basic systems typically only have drivers.

Next, you have the tweeters. These are small and help give you extra high-frequency content and stereo width. In car and RV stereo systems, they make a big difference and merit the minimal extra effort they may require.

Woofers are the opposite of tweeters. They provide the bass and fill out the low midrange. Bass quality has a big impact on the overall sound, especially in the background rumble of a moving vehicle.

Lastly, there are subwoofers. If you like those deep bass frequencies you can feel in your body, you’ll want one of these. They’re bigger and harder to fit into an RV, but you’ll be happy to have one for that truly powerful sound.

A component speaker system combines these different types of speakers — or, at least, some of them.

Coaxial speakers have a tweeter, and sometimes the driver, mounted in front of a woofer to conserve space and simplify everything. Subwoofers aren’t common factory features, but they’re common modifications among enthusiasts.

As well as these different types, speakers also have different sizes, shapes, and wiring schemes. For example, some have wiring for serial configurations while others don’t. Some higher-end products have inline resistors for prevention of crosstalk and static, improving sound quality.

Choosing the right speakers is an important aspect of how to install car speakers in an RV. Their specifications and intended purposes, as well as their wattage and impedance, must match your RV stereo and what you have in mind.

How to Install Car Speakers in an RV

Since we’re dealing with the vast topic of how to install car speakers, let’s begin by thinking of the different procedures involved in this. For example, speaker placement and purposes affect how to do it significantly.

Replacing factory speakers with better ones is generally a straightforward task that almost anyone can do without any special tools. However, this is only true if the speakers fit the speaker mounts. Otherwise, you’ll have to adjust their size and shape first.

Installing a new sound system where there previously was none is a bit more complicated. Plus, it may come with different challenges depending on the make and age of your RV.

For example, if you want external speakers or surround sound for your TV, that can take a lot more work. However, it is possible, and it won’t be too hard once you know how to install car speakers in an RV.

One last thing to think about regarding speaker placement is the range of wireless signals. For the best results, you’ll want to look at Wi-Fi boosters for your RV.

Differences between cars and RVs

While the process of how to install car speakers in an RV is mostly the same as with a regular car, there are some significant differences. Although modern luxurious RVs often have stereos or sound systems in the back, the overall design varies quite a bit.

In some cases, there may be recesses that make new installations easy. However, you’ll often have to work with limited suitable spaces and make new holes for speakers. While protruding mounts and speakers are an option, they’re far from optimal.

With the limited space inside an RV, anything sticking out means losing space, and you’ll probably bump into them at times. Therefore, it’s imperative that you learn how to install car speakers in an RV the proper way.

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Removing old speakers

First of all, let’s go ahead and disconnect the RV’s battery. Otherwise, mistakes can be deadly or destroy your new speakers.

In most cases, removing car speakers is a simple procedure. You probably won’t need more than an ordinary Phillips head screwdriver. However, it doesn’t hurt to have your Allen wrench and panel popping tool ready just in case.

The protective screen or grille over the speaker either has screws along the edges or a friction mount that you can pop out. However, it may use a different mount. Before you begin, you should consult your RV manual.

On the other hand, some vehicles have the speaker covers screwed or plugged in from the other side. In such cases, you will, unfortunately, have to remove the whole panel or dashboard.

Once inside, you can simply unscrew things to get the speaker out. It’s best to remember each connection since you’ll probably be replicating them when inserting the new speakers.

In modern vehicles, the most common connection is a direct attachment to the loom. This often means a replacement is all plug and play.

Another type of connection you may find has the speaker connectors hooked onto spades on the speaker element’s backside. You can remove these with needle-nosed pliers. It’s crucial that you pay attention and figure out the polarity first.

In some cases, there are soldered connections. These are harder to remove correctly. If you have a soldering iron, use it to melt the solder and release the wiring.

Otherwise, just clip the wires and separate them. Try to get as close to the solder as possible before clipping. With this method, you won’t have to re-solder anything.

That’s all there is to speaker removal. Let’s get to the core of how to install car speakers in an RV.

Installing new speakers

Before moving on with how to install car speakers in an RV, you should disconnect the battery of your vehicle if you haven’t already. That prevents deadly shocks and damaged sound systems.

Speaker replacement

If you’re replacing the stock speakers with a new set that fit the existing mounts, there’s nothing complicated about how to install car speakers in an RV. It’s the same process as before but in reverse.

However, if you’re inserting more powerful speakers, you’ll probably have to alter the sockets to place new mounts and possibly replace some wiring. Don’t worry; it’s usually easy. As for tools, all you’ll need is a screwdriver and sometimes a drill.

Now, the wiring is another challenge to tackle. It varies between different RV models, and if you’re lucky, all you need to do is tie into the loom. Otherwise, you must be careful and set the polarity right. You may also need new connectors and crimps if you’re replacing a soldered connection.

For older full-harness attachment models, you’ll find the wiring instructions in the speaker manual. The color coding will point you in the right direction.

If you’re installing a coaxial system, that’s all there’s to it, and you can screw everything in. Now you know one approach to how to install car speakers in an RV.

Component speaker systems will require some more work. For example, you must set the crossover right.

The audio crossover goes between the receiver and your speakers. It splits the signal into appropriate frequency bands for each type of speaker. If you connect these incorrectly, the result is terrible sound quality and possible speaker damage.

Plus, you’ll probably have to make a few new holes for tweeters and a subwoofer if you’re setting up a component rig. If that’s the case, grab your toolbox and get ready.

Making holes for new speakers

If you’re looking for how to install car speakers in an RV the elaborate way, there’s more work to do. For the first step, you’ll need a jigsaw and a drill. But before you even start, you should make sure you’ve thought of the best layout.

The placement of your speakers matters more than you’d think. Some spots are easier to work with than others, and the wiring may restrict where you can place new speakers.

Plus, a good stereo image requires a proper setup. The woofer belongs in the center, with drivers and tweeters out to the sides. Symmetry is important to ensure good phase relations and a consistent sound. Therefore, figuring out the placement before you begin cutting holes is crucial.

Once you’ve made sure there’s nothing behind the panel where you want to make your hole, you can mark out the appropriate shape with a pen. Next, you’ll simply drill a hole or two and start sawing.

When all holes are ready, and you’ve made marks for the mounts, it’s time to move on with how to install car speakers in an RV.

First, you’ll want to remove the panels. Sometimes, you can do this with a panel popping tool, but other times you’ll need to unscrew things. After that, you can attach any mounts that should go behind the panel.

Wiring and inserting your speakers

Next, it’s time to do the wiring. If you’re using coaxial speakers, the wiring is straightforward, but component sound systems require proper crossovers and spreading the cords to the correct speakers.

With both methods, you may want to fasten the wires to either the panel or space behind it. Cable clips and electrical tape are good options.

Once all the wiring is in place, it’s time to attach the speakers and connect them to the wires. As always, it’s best to check the speaker manual for learning how to install car speakers in an RV.

Now, the only things left to do are to install the protective screens and screw everything in tight. However, it’s best to test the system before you finalize the setup. In case you have to redo something, this will save you work.

Rounding Things Up

Now you know how to install car speakers in an RV. How exciting is it to have a powerful sound system for your journeys?

Whether you’re upgrading your driving stereo or setting up a sound system in the living space, you’ll be happy that you took the time to do a proper installation.

Thank you for coming to us for info on how to install car speakers in an RV. We hope you’ll enjoy many amazing camping trips with your new sound system.

If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to post a comment below!

Last update on 2023-05-06 at 08:29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API