introduction
Owning a recreational vehicle (RV) is one way to create a home away from home. Anderson Mobile Estates, a group known for its luxurious RVs, is currently building the world's largest RV in Montreal, Canada. This three-story mobile home features a first floor with four slide-outs, a telescoping second story, and a third floor that opens to a rooftop deck with extended guard rails when in use.
the challenge
Adding AV to a stable home is done frequently, but adding wheels to take that on the road with an intelligent mobile home brings new challenges. The wiring and cables had to be flexible to withstand the expansions and closures of the slide-outs on the first floor and extension of the second floor. The RV also needed a system that could be remotely managed, as supporting the motorhome during its travels would be difficult.
the solution
Gould Sound & Light was brought in as the integrator on this massive RV project to design, install, and furnish the RV with technology. Jon Gould, owner of Gould Sound & Light, chose Crestron, as it provides an end-to-end solution that would allow Crestron Service Provider, Programmation Claude Raymond (PCR), to program the system to fit every need of this project.
the technology
On the road, this RV looks like a normal vehicle, but when parked at night, it morphs into a three-story home. When you first enter the RV, there is a large slide-out section that features the kitchen and living room. The kitchen includes a fridge, stovetop, microwave, and coffee bar. The first level’s second slide-out has two bunk beds on each side. A custom Crestron system controls the entire RV and was selected to ensure that all the needed technology was incorporated. Crestron controls the lighting, shading, audio, and video distribution, as well as two zones of HVAC, the doors, the main floor waterfall, and intercoms. At the front of the semi-truck, the driver can flip a switch to turn the system on or off when needed. When the RV is in motion, it is unable to be occupied and certain AV functionality cannot be turned on for safety on the road.
The RV has 28 Horizon® keypads, five touch screens, 14 Crestron shades, and two Horizon® thermostats for maximum control. To create some uniformity within the mobile home, Gould Sound & Light decided to feature a standard user interface on the Horizon keypads. The top button turns on the lights; the bottom button turns off the lights, and the middle buttons are for custom “good night” and “good morning” scenes for the owners. The Crestron system is fully integrated with security camers, and the touch screens are programmed to show live feeds.
On the second floor is the primary suite, which includes a full bathroom and walk-in closet. Crestron touch screens are located in the bedrooms, allowing the homeowners to control their environment, access the security feeds, and communicate with the exterior doors and other guests.
Crestron DM NVX® AV-over-IP technology distributes video throughout the mobile home. There are eight screens, and 80-inch front cinema system, and three additional cinema systems, all controlled by DM NVX technology. The RV also contains a small home theater with custom seating and a fiber optic ceiling, allowing the family to watch a film on the 70-inch mounted screen in full comfort. The family can also access the Crestron system via tablets when the RV is compressed on the road, as it was important to be able to remotely control the RV if needed.
the results
With Crestron solutions in place, everything from the lights and shades to locks and camera is within reach on multiple interfaces. Gould Sound & Light was able to use a custom Crestron system to not only sustain life on the road but also be a traveler’s dream home.
A graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology, Doug has been in the Technology industry since 1976 and actively oversees Fearing’s daily operations. Along with his wife, Lois, and three others, Doug started Fearing’s in a 600 square-foot facility in Portage, Wisconsin. In the 25 years since, the company has grown to over 30 employees with offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Doug likes to say he’s a “TV Technician with a dream� going back to his history with the family’s original business-Fearing’s TV and Appliance.
Doug values time with family, watersports, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. In addition to being a devoted member of his church, Doug serves as Board President for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County, Board member of Schools for Haiti and Scripture Chair of the Gideons-Portage camp.
A graduate of MATC, Lois oversees Fearing’s daily book keeping along with various HR responsibilities.
Along with Doug, Lois is deeply connected to community outreach, serving as a Board member and Fundraising Committee Chairperson for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County. She also serves on the Schools for Haiti Fundraising committee. In addition, Lois’ ongoing passion and commitment to provide care for the elderly comes from her 10-year history of working in a Reedsburg, Wisconsin Nursing home.
Lois enjoys singing, hiking, sunny days on the pontoon, and spending time with her 4 grandchildren.
Ehren drives Fearing’s technology by continually seeking out trends to enhance capabilities while supporting Sales, Engineering and Installation teams. Throughout his years with Fearing’s, Ehren’s talent and vision have joined forces to create a wide variety of projects and strategic solutions that exceed expectation.
Ehren loves music, family time, movies, nature, sustainability efforts and electric vehicles.
With 10 years with Fearing’s and over twice that long in the industry, Ben continues to lead, coordinate, and develop the Commercial AV team.
By consistently delivering an outstanding experience and outcome, Ben contributes to the Fearing’s legacy of long-lasting partnerships that truly make a difference. Whatever the Commercial AV need may be, Ben and team deliver at the highest level.
Ben is an avid fisherman and photographer. He enjoys coaching his sons and other youth.
Chris has been with Fearing’s for 20 years and in the industry for over 2 decades. As a Certified leader in Sales Acceleration and trained in EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems), Chris successfully utilizes his skills to lead the Fearing’s Salesforce. Chris and team are motivated and driven to develop new client partnerships while continuing to reinforce loyal long-term relationships with ongoing Service excellence.
Married for 19 years with 3 children, Chris enjoys skiing, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, camping and golf. He’s also been actively involved as a Youth Football and Softball coach for his family and others.
