Removing cupholder on E450 to increase cabin room?

[snowcamp]

I am a newbie to this forum and to the rv market.

I am trying to decide between the Forest River 2501TS and the MBS2401R. Floor plans look similar and it appears that i can order both with similar options.

I am now leaning toward the 2501TS because of carrying capacity and ease of maintenance for Ford chassis.

My biggest concern with the Ford is the lack of legroom caused by what seems to me to be an excessively large and unnecessary cup holder unit. I am 6'2" - 250 pounds and my legs feel constrained in the driving position.

Has anyone had any experience with smaller, aftermarket cupholder units or just with removing it altogether? I could live without the cup holder if it gave me a more comfortable driving position.

Does the cupholder unit provide
- sound insulation
- heat reduction

I would appreciate your help and suggestions.

Cary

[TakeItEasy]

I have heard of people replacing the cup holders with a slim version. You can see an example here. I believe it is easy to snap the console out. You may find a dealer willing to pull the console off the dog house to let you sit in the driver's seat and try it.

[sgtlm17]

The cup holder just lifts straight up and off. However it doesn't give you anymore leg room in my opinion.

[Gidyupgo]

I've removed mine, (SS3010) just to see and it definately makes moving from the drivers seat, back to the coach, easier. Same improvement when going the other way. One member removed his and put a flat piece of wood, slightly padded and covered in matching material where the drink holder was. Then added a couple of boat style cup holders that fold flat. I agree, Ford kind of overdoes it, but there are thousands of them on the road and a lot of us big folks driving them.

[GerryW]

Originally Posted by snowcamp

I am a newbie to this forum and to the rv market.

I am trying to decide between the Forest River 2501TS and the MBS2401R. Floor plans look similar and it appears that i can order both with similar options.

I am now leaning toward the 2501TS because of carrying capacity and ease of maintenance for Ford chassis.

My biggest concern with the Ford is the lack of legroom caused by what seems to me to be an excessively large and unnecessary cup holder unit. I am 6'2" - 250 pounds and my legs feel constrained in the driving position.

Has anyone had any experience with smaller, aftermarket cupholder units or just with removing it altogether? I could live without the cup holder if it gave me a more comfortable driving position.

Does the cupholder unit provide
- sound insulation
- heat reduction

I would appreciate your help and suggestions.

Cary

I used 2 inch steel tubing under each seat to raise them. At the same time I offset the passenger seat to the rear to give more room to DW. I didn't set back the drivers seat because that space is claimed by said DW. Works for me and I'm a huge 150 lb 5'10" person.

[PenJoe]

Originally Posted by sgtlm17

The cup holder just lifts straight up and off. However it doesn't give you anymore leg room in my opinion.

X2. It is just slightly easier to get past the console.

[Wolverine 1945]

If you change to the slimmer one,,, where does DW put her Beer ???


LOL !!!

[GerryW]

After being together for 51 years she has learned to never let her beer leave her hand. Dang!

[Gidyupgo]

She can worry about hers, mine sits neatly in the bottom of a McDonalds cup with a straw through the lid..... oh wait..... no, I would never do that.... <imagine frosty mug picture here>

[n-e-d]

Slimline console sometimes on ebay and possibly a winnebago part Slim-line Engine Cover Console | Nor-Cal Vans

[Gidyupgo]

Updating, just replaced the original console with this slimline console. The extra room is nice. They are here if you're interested. $119 plus shipping through tascaparts.com but shipped from vpartsinc.com.

[rwthib]

Originally Posted by Gidyupgo

Updating, just replaced the original console with this slimline console. The extra room is nice. They are here if you're interested. $119 plus shipping through tascaparts.com but shipped from vpartsinc.com.
Attachment 197119Attachment 197120

What was the part # you ordered from there?

[Gidyupgo]

Originally Posted by rwthib

what was the part # you ordered from there?

f7uz-15115a00-aad

[Gidyupgo]

Originally Posted by gidyupgo

f7uz-15115a00-aad

f7uz-15115a00-aad

[LeoS]

I like the idea of making more room but I can't imagine losing the valuable real estate in the factory dash unit.

My factory Ford cubbies are chock-full of phones, iPad, charging cords, tissues, beef jerky, walkie-talkies, etc., not to mention cups or water bottles in the cup holders all the time while traveling.

[DaGrinch]

Originally Posted by Gidyupgo

Updating, just replaced the original console with this slimline console. The extra room is nice. They are here if you're interested. $119 plus shipping through tascaparts.com but shipped from vpartsinc.com.
Attachment 197119Attachment 197120

I don't know how the heck I missed this thread until now!!!!!

I'll have to wait until I get my SS out of storage to check things out. I am like LeoS, though. We keep all kinds of stuff there.

[Gidyupgo]

Hahaha, hi buddy. We had snacks, beverages, and half of Newegg's stock in our original one. But come on.... you've got 1600 cubic feet over your shoulder for all of that. {grin}

[cstrunk5040]

Somehow, I don’t see my DW giving up her cupholders. Mine, she might give up, but not hers.

[Wolverine 1945]

Where does DW =put her large YETI coffee mug ???

[DaGrinch]

Originally Posted by Gidyupgo

Hahaha, hi buddy. We had snacks, beverages, and half of Newegg's stock in our original one. But come on.... you've got 1600 cubic feet over your shoulder for all of that. {grin}

Ya got that right! [emoji106]