Added a fireplace to a Lacrosse 329BHT

[RatherBCampin]

The DW wanted a fireplace in our new camper and was disappointed when we finally decided on the Lacrosse 329BHT.

5 trips to the hardware store and a quick purchase on Amazon changed her tune.

The fireplace is a 23" ADKY electric insert with a 1500 watt heater core. We used Air Stone from Lowes to trim it out. All in all it was a major PITA but happy wife is a happy life!

We plan on finishing with some decorative ceramic trim to fill in the gap at the top.

[CJM]

Well done. That looks awesome

[Wiscampsin]

That looks really nice! It is written somewhere that absolutely no project can be completed with any less that 3 trips to the hardware store or home improvement center .

[tlambert]

Wow. Very nice.


Tim

[Dave Lyon]

Originally Posted by Wiscampsin

That looks really nice! It is written somewhere that absolutely no project can be completed with any less that 3 trips to the hardware store or home improvement center .

And in the case of assembling a barbecue.........24 beers

[ChairFlyer]

Looks great! You should send these pictures to Prime Time.

Slightly off topic, but have you thought about replacing the ill-designed bed in the bunk room of the 329 with the sofa by the TV? Then you could install dual recliners where the sofa was. That's my dream project, but I'm waiting for someone more talented than me to do it first.

[scayne62]

That is EXACTLY what we wanted to do to ours, just did not know really how to go about it, that looks amazing! I am going to keep this on the off season to do list when I get my new shop built.

[CarolinaGirl]

That looks awesome! Great job! Wanna come do mine? I also have a 329BHT. LOL

[ztowngal]

Love it!! Wish I had room to put one in our 2012 FR Forester 3011DS. Also want to replace sofa with recliners.

[RatherBCampin]

This mod was pretty easy. I am a complete novice when it comes to stuff like this.

Here's the steps involved

1. Remove doors and center shelf (I didn't completely remove the shelf but cut out what was needed for the fireplace to slide in - a good utility knife will get you through the shelf material)

2. Build the base support for the fireplace. I used the cross supports from the shelf as a spacer for bottom. This allowed me to put full chunks of 2x6's. I used 3 - 20" long 2x6's stacked on top of each other along with 1 - 20" 5/4 deck board.

3. Cut a piece if 3/4 tongue and groove OSB. 30" x 33 1/2" (measure twice cut once). Make sure you leave the tongue edge on the top (there is a small groove under the countertop lip for this to fit into).

Map out and cut the opening where you want the fireplace. Remember how high up the base extends.

This will fit perfectly over the frame of the cabinet and will space the fireplace out 3/4".

4. Use a 1 3/4" hole saw to cut a hole in the countertop. I did mine in the center towards the wall. This will allow access for the power cord.

Cut 2 more holes in the sides of the cabinet too allow air flow for the heater to breath (this fireplace/heater draws its air from the rear. I place my holes at the top of the cabinet.

Use the hole saw to cut 2 holes in the upper cabinet where the radio is installed. I went to the left of the radio to route the cord the rest of the way to the outlet in top cabinet. Do not cut into the center just below the radio - there a ton of cords in there and you run the risk of damaging your radio and sound system.

5. Install the OSB frame to the from of the cabinet, route the cord to the plug, and install the fireplace.

6. Cut 2 strips of 1/4" Luan board for the sides ( I needed to do this so the air stone had something glue too.

7. Install your decorative surround - air stone, tile or whatever your heart desires.

I did research on materials for the surround and found Air stone at Lowes.

Reach out to me if you have questions. Again I am a novice and found this really easy and fun to do.

I don't have a big shop or a ton of tools at home. Did this in the driveway with help from the DW and a case of beer.

[RatherBCampin]

Everyone loves pictures so here are some during the install

[RatherBCampin]

More pictures

Air stone doesn't require a wet tile saw. Cuts can be made with a reg hacksaw.

[RatherBCampin]

.....

[RatherBCampin]

Please ask if you have questions

[scayne62]

How much heat does it produce? Did you do it for the added heat or just the ambiance?

[RatherBCampin]

1500 watt heater core. Does a great job heating - when hooked up to power we love using space heaters instead of the propane. We camp when it's cold out and our first trip (1st of April in MI) we used 2 1400 watt heaters to keep us toasty warm. These campers are so well insulated.

We switched our new camper order from the 320 Coachmen Freedom edition to the LaCrosse. The DW had to give up the fireplace for the switch so I made up for it.

[bpdlk33]

Nice install!

[FoxxLandArk]

Originally Posted by Wiscampsin

It is written somewhere that absolutely no project can be completed with any less that 3 trips to the hardware store or home improvement center .

My DH is changing out the bathroom sink faucet. He is returning from trip #4 from the hardware store for parts to support having found the faucet on clearance at the dealership's parts store. I think we will have paid full price by the time he's finished. I hope currents of gold flow from this faucet when it's back in service.

BTW... To the OP of this thread, the fireplace retrofit looks great! Is the inset an RV-specific model or are you going to be counting amps to be sure the additional ambiance doesn't cancel out another creature comfort? A fireplace is a mod I have on my list for later this year.

[Ksilvi]

That looks amazing!!!! Awesome job!!


2014 Crusader 295rst
2014 F150 Fx4

[everett.devore]

Oh man that looks great. I need that in mine.