Vista Cup Holder

Bobgray · 02-28-2016, 05:27 PM

I have complained about the cup holder in our Vista since purchase in 2011. Big top and small bottom would not hold most cups securely. After getting a couple yeti cups, the situation was impossible. We also had to keep the fuel and service records in the overhead cabinet. Since I pump the gas and the wife keeps the records, it is an advantage to have them easier to access. I solved both problems by building this cabinet. I built it out of walnut to somewhat match the "plastic wood" on the dash. See before and after photo below.

SDDAVE · 02-28-2016, 05:43 PM

Very nice. We have a 2011 Vista 30W. I have researched but found nothing that fits the bill. Great job!

jazzerjump · 02-28-2016, 08:48 PM

Nice work. I not yhat talented with wood so I found some plastic holders that said they were for wedging in a seat at auto parts store and they screwed easily into the side wall on each side. Work great and hold two cups, even the 32oz minimart kind and have a space in between for a phone. Saw it on this forum once and pursued it. We havr a 2012 Vista 30 T

TonyDi · 02-28-2016, 08:52 PM

That's a beautiful job.

Congrats!!

Vhol5 · 02-28-2016, 09:39 PM

Wow! Great job!
I have also been thinking of doing something similar. I hate the center cup holders/tray.

SamW · 02-29-2016, 03:40 AM

Very nice wood work. How is it held down.

motohomo · 02-29-2016, 07:22 PM

Wow. I am impressed. Want to make another one? I would pay you to make one for me. Thats exactly what my cockpit looks like

Bobgray · 02-29-2016, 08:26 PM

I anchored it with the original mounting bracket. If you are not familiar with it I'll try to describe. To remove the existing cup holder, remove 2 phillips head screws from bottom of holder. It will pull straight out of the dash. The holder is mounted to a flat piece of steel that is welded to a piece of square tube approx. 1 1/2"x1 1/2" O.D. X16" long. It slides into a 1 1/2" I.D. tube mounted in the dash. It is definitely a solid mount.

Re. Building another, would consider, but wouldn't be cheap

Bobgray · 03-01-2016, 01:00 PM

SamW
Here is a photo of the mounting bracket, after I modified the plate by cutting away the bends. You can also see the hole in the dash with the receiver for the bracket.

SamW · 03-02-2016, 04:11 AM

Thanks Bob. Nice sturdy mount.

motohomo · 03-03-2016, 06:57 PM

Bob, out of curiosity, how much $ would it take to build one for someone? Dont want to put you on the spot...and if you're not interested, i totally understand. Thanks

Bobgray · 03-04-2016, 06:56 PM

Motohomo,
I would build one like mine out of solid Walnut, Full extension drawer slides and aluminum cup holders and knob for $750 plus S&H.

I have the following concerns: I need to have your mtg bracket. I have a 2001 Vista which I can build it to fit my MH. However I don't know what kind of tolerances are maintained on dash boards. Is yours same model? Don't know where you are at, but I would be much more comfortable having your MH here and custom fitting it to your unit. If interested, let me know and we can try to work out details. Thanks for your interest.

motohomo · 03-04-2016, 07:06 PM

I thank you for your response. I am sure that is more than a fair price for the materials and work involved. I would love to have one like yours... but not in my budget. Thanks Bob.

Electra 225 · 03-04-2016, 11:39 PM

That's better than factory Bob! That is just "down town" man.

Love how you correlated the grains in the wood. Couldn't be done better.

Best regards,
W.D.

HerbZilla · 03-10-2016, 09:38 AM

I made the mistake of showing the wife what you did! Guess who is breaking out the woodworking tools now?
By the way that is a fantastic job!

Velroc · 03-11-2016, 12:20 PM

Super Job, How did you bend the wood? Steam it? I have tools to do it, but not the talent, need to think..

Bob

Bobgray · 03-12-2016, 08:19 AM

Good Luck and have fun!

Bobgray · 03-12-2016, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Velroc

Super Job, How did you bend the wood? Steam it? I have tools to do it, but not the talent, need to think..

Bob

I didn't bend it. Some people have bent kiln dried wood , but not easy. I used 8/4 wood and sawed it round with the band saw. Good luck with the project!

Macevir · 03-18-2019, 07:53 AM

Nicely done! We also complain about the cup holder problem. In addition, the nothing to hold "junk" next to the drivers windows (big complaint for DH) problem. This is definitely a "rountuit" project for him!

blueridge-fl · 03-19-2019, 06:56 AM

Given that the lack of cockpit storage is such a common complaint, I am really surprised that there are not after market solutions.

Bob, your solution is fantastic! Very well crafted, indeed, but almost looks out of place without simulated wood grain that is peeling off of composition board. :-)