Planning on going camping? Then what better way can you do that than going in an RV? With an RV, you get to see all the beautiful environment without missing out on the comfort of your home. However, some RVs miss out on the special touch to complete the ‘home’ feeling. And this is the absence of a TV. For an RV, you can’t use the conventional types of TVs because the RV will mostly be on the move and the TV can fall off if not well secured. Now, the question is; what type of TVs can one use in an RV?
The answer is simple. You need a flat-screen TV as it is the one that you can mount on walls. But, LCD flat-screen TVs remain the best to use in an RV. This is because they are slimmer and they can withstand vigorous shaking or movement that comes with using a TV in a moving vehicle. Now that we have an idea on the type of TV one can use in an RV, the main question now is ‘how to attach a TV mount to an RV wall’. We will be writing about this extensively, all you have to do is to relax, read and learn.
Types Of TV Mount For An RV Wall
Before we talk about how to attach a TV mount to an RV wall, we thought you should know the different types of TV mounts. Read about the different types below.
Fixed TV Wall Mount
The first type of TV mount we’ll be writing about is the fixed TV mount. This is the most common type of TV mount for RVs and this is mainly because it is the cheapest. Not only that, but it is also the easiest mount bracket to install out of all the different types of TV mounts available. Also, this type of TV mount is very sturdy and strong and it assures the user that the TV is well-secured to the wall.
However, what it has in simplicity, lower price and sturdiness, it lacks it in screen movement. What this means is that after installing it, there is no option to adjust the TV. By this, you can’t move the TV in any direction, be it; left, right, upwards or downwards. Also, with this type of TV mount, you might find it hard to remove or add the HDMI cord to the TV. So, if you are comfortable with your TV being in one position, you can go for this. But if you are not, skip this one and check out the next TV mount.
Tilting Mount
The next type of TV mount for your RV is the tilting mount. This is a step up compared to the fixed mount because of its extra features which we will be discussing soon. It allows the user to tilt the mounted TV either up or down. Because of this, you are assured of a better viewing regardless of the position you are in while facing the TV. This means that even if you are lying on the floor or sitting in a high position, you will still enjoy your TV.
Besides, it makes TV viewing more enjoyable for kids as they won’t have to strain their necks to watch the TV. However, this mounting bracket doesn’t allow horizontal movement. But not to worry, the next TV mount covers this.
Full Motion Wall TV Mount
The full motion TV mount gives the best viewing experience for RV owners. It offers different and wider viewing angles for a better experience. The makers of this full motion TV mount usually describe it as swivel, extending arm, and full motion. The way it works is that the mounting bracket has a swivelling arm that can extend and move in any direction. With this, you will eliminate the problem of not being able to move your TV sideways.
Besides, you can always fold the swivel arm into the normal flat position. Also, we like the fact that the TV can also be watched from outside if the TV is mounted close to windows or doors. However, it comes at a price which a lot of people might not be ready to bear. But we find its numerous advantages over the other types of TV mount to be worth the cost. Not to mention, you get better access to the back of the TV which is great as it will help you configure the TV better.
Steps To Attach A TV Mount To An RV Wall
Now, let’s get to the order of the day which is how to attach a TV mount to an RV wall. Follow the easy steps below.
Step 1- Check The Wall
The first thing to do is to check the wall you want to attach the TV mount to. Ensure that it is spacious enough to take your TV. Not only that, make sure it is strong enough as you do not want a situation where your TV will fall off. It is advisable to choose a place in your RV with very thick wood. Besides, you can always add extra hardwood or plywood to the wall. If you can’t do that, you can always ask a professional for help.
Also, remember that the height or position where the mount will be attached is important. This is because you do not want to mount your TV in a position where it would be uncomfortable to watch. To do this, we suggest you get an extra pair of eyes to help you judge.
Step 2- Fix The Bracket To The Wall
After getting the position you want to attach your TV mount, the next thing to do is to mark out the edges and corners you will place the bracket. You will do this by using a tape, a marker or a pencil. Next, you will place the bracket to the part of the wall you have marked. After that, you will mark the part where the bracket has holes on the wall. However, make sure the bracket is straight and you can do this by using a spirit level.
You then need to proceed to drill the holes you have marked on the RV wall. It is important to use drill bits that are of the same size as the screws/bolts that come with your TV mount.
Step 3- Fit Bracket On Television
Since the purpose of attaching a TV mount on an RV wall is to be able to mount a TV, then we need to bring the TV in. There are two parts of a wall mount. One goes into the wall and you fit the other part to the television. Ideally, TV mounts usually come with multiple screws or bolts which make it possible to fit into different TV sizes. Because of this, if you happen to try a bolt or screw that’s not the right size, you can check the mount’s packaging for other bolts that will fit.
After getting the correct bolts, use four bolts to secure the mount to the back of your television. Worthy of note is that you should not tighten the bolts as you will do that when you finally mount the TV.
Step 4- Mount The TV
The next step is to mount your TV on the wall. If you will be using a fixed TV wall mount, we will advise that you attach all the cables to the TV before mounting the TV. This is because you might find the space behind the TV limited hereby making it hard to connect these cables. Now, back to mounting the TV, manufacturers of mounts tend to use different methods to hang TVs to the mounts. But, oftentimes, the brackets tend to have a ‘hook and slide’ mechanism for this purpose.
Please note that you should have extra hands for this part. This is to ensure that you do not drop the TV accidentally. After hanging the TV successfully, you should tighten the screws to ensure that the TV won’t accidentally fall off.
Pro Tips
For your work to look professional, there are some tips we will like to share with you.
Use Adhesives For The Screws
For each screw, you use, make sure you use industrial adhesive on them. This will make the screws hold better hereby mitigating the risk of the screws falling off.
Hide Cables
Now, after setting up your TV, you need to keep the whole TV area neat. And there is no better way to do this than to get the cables out of the way. You can do this by trunking the cables. Using a trunk is a good idea because you do not need to break through the walls to attach the trunk. Besides, you can always get a trunk that matches the interior of your RV.
Conclusion
We are sure you now know how to attach a TV mount to an RV wall. If you follow all the steps in this article, we assure you that this will not be a hard thing to do. However, if it still sounds complicated, we will advise you to look for professionals to do it for you.
