Having your own home-away-from-home is a dream that many RV owners would like to achieve. One of those comforts that many buyers adore would be a flat screen television.
Have you ever wondered how to install a flat screen TV in an RV? You may be thinking if this is something you can do yourself. The good news is with our handy guide, you’ll find that putting a TV in your RV is actually much easier than you might imagine.
Table of Contents
What to Prepare for RV TV Installation
RV Television Mounts
Tools for Mounting on the Wall
- Level and a stud finder
- Power drill
- Screws
Materials For Mounting in TV Box
- Drill
- 2×4-inches wood planks for additional support
- Wall mount bolts, mounting screws, and L-brackets for vertical and horizontal supports
Detailed Steps to Mount a TV in an RV
Method 1 – Installation in a TV Box
Step 1: Remove the old television set from the box.
Note: If you have a Jayco RV, they have Jayco TV mounting instructions that will help you unlock RV TV mount from the bracket with a quick release cable or tab.
Most camper televisions are like this too, though you may need to remove some screws for certain models.
Step 2: Measure the TV box’s dimensions.
Measure the inside of the TV box, including the height, width, and depth. Even if you’re installing flat screen TV in RV, add about an inch or two to each side for allowance.
Step 3: Prepare horizontal and vertical supports to secure the TV box.
Attach the wooden planks that will serve as horizontal and vertical supports to your existing television box. Use screws or other fasteners that won’t damage your walls or cabinets.
You may need to drill holes inside cabinet walls if you can’t find pre-existing holes. Make sure to prepare eight screws for each horizontal support and four for the other type.
Step 4: Install the television mount.
Before you can hang a TV in a camper, get the width of your TV and divide it into two to determine where the center is.
Drill pilot holes for the mounting screws at the top and bottom of this center point. Place the bracket so that it is centered over this mark.
Step 5: Attach the flat screen TV to the mount.
Depending on which RV TV mounting ideas you use, you may need additional hardware to install it correctly (such as wall anchors).
The installation instructions should indicate which parts are needed for each specific mount type, so make sure to read them carefully before beginning this step.
Method 2 – Installation on an RV’s Wall
Step 1: Visualize the ideal location for your TV.
For travel trailer RV TV mount ideas, you can use any wall in your motorhome as long as it has enough space and can support the weight of your device.
If your RV has a wooden paneling on its walls, make sure that it’s thick enough so that it does not break when mounting hardware is applied on it for added reinforcement.
Choose a location in a motorhome where you can easily reach all connections at the back of your television (power cord, HDMI/other video inputs). You also need access to plug in a cable box or satellite receiver.
Step 2: Locate the wall studs.
Use a stud finder to locate the studs in the wall where you want to hang your TV, then mark these so they are easily identifiable later on when hanging your flat screen TV bracket or mounting kit.
Note: If your walls come without studs, you might opt for a ceiling mount tv in RV.
Step 3: Use the drill bits to create the pilot holes for your bracket.
Use a drill or hole saw to make pilot holes for the screws that will hold the TV mount to the wall. Make sure you mark the drilling areas beforehand.
The exact size of these holes depends on the type of wall bracket you’re using, but most RV mounts come with a template that shows you where to drill.
Step 4: Mount the wall bracket.
Secure the bracket to your RV’s wall using the screws provided with your unit. Then, insert any spacers/fasteners provided into their respective holes on each side of your bracket before tightening all screws securely into place.
Step 5: Install the mounting plate to the TV’s backside.
Attach the mounting plate to the back of your television according to manufacturer specifications (usually found within user manuals). Make sure the TV holes fit the hardware for securing the plate.
Step 6: Connect the mounting plate to the wall mount.
Attach your flat screen television securely onto its mount using screws or bolts provided by the manufacturer of your equipment.
Make sure that all bolts are tight and secure before moving on to other steps, such as wiring up your TV correctly and installing speaker systems.
Step 7: Finish the installation.
Complete the setup for your TV by connecting the necessary cables, especially if you’re using an RV antenna or a satellite dish for cable watching. Plug the device on and enjoy!
FAQs
Types of TV Mounts
Whether it’s Forest River RV TV mounts or those for other camper brands, you’ll find these mount types:
- A fixed/flat wall mount is a great example of RV TV mounts for flat screens. The most common type of fixed mount is a bracket that attaches directly to the back of your TV. However, flat wall mounts are not adjustable after they have been installed.
- A tilt mount allows you to move your television left and right on the wall. This way, mounting a TV in a travel trailer gives everyone a great view of it without having to walk around or crowd around one spot in particular.
- Full motion TV wall mounts allow users complete freedom of movement to move their device left, right, up and down by adjusting its arm joints accordingly until the television reaches the desired position.
- Lastly, the under-cabinet mount is the best way for RVs and vehicles with limited space to secure a small TV. This type of mount will only fit select televisions, so you’ll want to check the dimensions of your chosen model before purchasing.
What size screws to mount the TV in RV?
Generally, 1-1/2- to 1-3/4-inch screws are ideal, and you can easily buy these in packs. But if your mount lists other sizes in the instructions, go with their recommendations.
Can you use any flat screen TV in RV?
Not really, while you would likely use a smart TV, there are things to consider:
- While most models come in 32-inch variants, you need to make sure that the screen size is compatible with the space available to set it up. Failing to do so will lead to poor viewing angles, which is not a good experience for anyone.
- Power supply is important because many RVs have limited electricity.
- You also need to consider how heavy your flat screen TV is because this will affect how much weight the walls can handle before the television starts falling down or becomes unstable.
How heavy of a TV can you mount on the RV wall?
An RV wall can hold around 1,500 to 2,000 pounds. Meanwhile, there are mounts that can handle up to 77 pounds, and most RV TVs are much lighter than this.
Hence, you can probably buy a television and match its weight with the capacity of the mount and not worry about the device being too heavy.
How do I hook up my TV in my RV?
The easiest way to connect your TV is by using a coaxial cable (also known as a “coax”). The cable runs from your television set and connects to the antenna on top of the motorhome.
Conclusion
As you can see, how to install a flat screen TV in an RV is not as complicated or difficult as it might seem. You can now improve the functionality of your RV while adding a new lease on life to those long, boring journeys.
This guide is intended to give you the information you need to set up your television so it can be as useful to you on the road as it is at home.
Glen’s a camping addict since way back when, a time he could barely remember. He loves tools, equipment, gears, accessories, and doing repair on his RV. He’s a confessed DIYer, performing even the maintenance of his RV. Glen also loves dressing up his recreational vehicle to keep it in style.