Owning an RV can take you to some amazing places. Whether you’ve packed up and hit the road to experience some beautiful national parks, or a road trip around Europe, or even camping at a nearby lake, we know the majority of your time is going to be spent exploring.
But, what about those rainy nights when you’ve been hiking all day and want to curl up in bed and watch a movie?
A TV can add both practicality and comfort to your home on wheels yet in such a mobile environment, you need a secured mount to ensure your TV stays in a fixed position.
Luckily, we have written this article to show you in six easy steps how to attach a TV mount to an RV wall and how to make sure it’s safe to use and will stay securely in place. Let’s get to it!
Materials Needed
To attach your mount to an RV wall, there are several items you will need to get together. Whilst some are optional but recommended, we promise they will make the job easier. So, what do we need?
RV TV Mount
This is not optional and is what your TV will be held in place by. RV mounts for your TV are designed to be used in an RV and if you want to keep your TV on the wall whilst you are traveling.
They use lockable swivel arms and will hold the TV in place whilst traveling, whilst also decreasing vibration damage. You can use a regular TV mount but if it has an adjustable arm that does not lock, it is advised you remove the TV from the mount every time you are in transit.
Power Drill
A regular screwdriver will work to screw your TV mount into an RV wall but it can be tricky and time-consuming. A power drill allows for a much easier process.
Drill Bits
You will need masonry bits, as well as a Phillips head bit. These will help you create pilot holes and screw the mounting screws.
Level
If you rely on eyesight alone, you can expect unnecessary holes in your RV wall and your TV will be uneven. A level can help with this.
Stud Finder
A stud finder will allow you to find an area in your RV wall, that will provide the best stability and support for your TV. If you don’t find a stud, your RV’s wall surface will not be able to handle the weight of your TV, and this can cause a mess and cost you extra money to fix.
Optional Materials
Screw Adhesives
Applying industrial adhesive to your screws to keep them stable in a moving environment such as an RV gives it a little extra support.
Painter’s Tape
Once you have your wall studs, you can mark them down with painter’s tape. It will be easier to see and you won’t leave a mark on your wall.
Cable Covers
If you want a neater look on your TV, route your cables through the wall or tie them together before tucking them behind a table, or another piece of furniture. If your layout makes these options impossible, there is another option.
You can choose to buy cable covers instead and paint these to match your RV decor.
A Friend
If you need someone to hold things in place, carry the TV, or just reassure you everything looks even with an extra pair of eyes, the project can be a lot easier with a friend to help.
How Do I Attach A TV Mount To My RV Wall?
Below, we have included a step-by-step guide on how to attach your mount to your wall in your RV.
1. Positioning the Mount
Once you have installed the mount, it becomes almost impossible to change the height and the viewing angle, unless you have specifically bought an adjustable TV mount.
Even with adjustable TV mounts, the changes you can make are limited, and changing your viewing angle can remain tricky. This means that deciding on where you want to mount your TV is incredibly important.
We suggest you sit where you will be watching the TV and have someone hold the TV in a place where you want to mount it, to make sure you are happy with it.
2. Locating The Wall Studs
Once you have figured out the mounting position, you need to find the wall studs to be able to mount it. Some manufacturers of certain RV types will pop a sticker on the wall that identifies the TV backer location.
However, the sticker is not always where you might want your TV mounted. This is why we recommend you move your stud finder across your chosen spot to mount until you find a stud. Use painter’s tape or a pencil to mark the position.
If a stud finder finds it, check to make sure you will not be drilling a hole into any important plumbing or electrical wiring behind the wall.
If you can’t find the stud, there are a few suggested ways to help you out. You can knock on the wall until you find it, contact the manufacturers, or use an infrared thermometer.
An infrared thermometer works great if there is a temperature difference between the interior and exterior and you will see a difference in temperature as you scan the RV’s surface as there is no insulation at the studs.
Infrared thermometers are also handy when it comes to using them for other purposes around the RV. It can allow you to check the brakes, as well as the tire temperature.
3. Drilling The Pilot Holes
You now need to hold the mount up to the RV wall, where you want to attach it and use a level to keep it as straight as possible. Mark up the place you want to drill the holes and use a masonry bit to drill the pilot holes, exactly where you made the marks.
Avoid skipping this step as pre-drilling your holes can help to help to stop the screw from cracking the walls as it gets inserted.
4. Installing The Bracket To The Wall
Simply hold up the mount against the wall, and start to drill the screws into the pilot holes.
5. Connecting The TV and The Mounting Plate
Find the plate attachment holes in your new TV, before removing all the packaging. You can also remove the TV stand if your TV comes with a stand at this point. Next, you need to attach the plate at the back of the TV, using the included hardware.
6. Mount The TV
The final step is to mount the TV ready for viewing! Lift your TV and line the plate with the wall bracket before connecting them in place. A lot of TV mount designs vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, so always follow the instructions they provide for this step to keep your TV safe and secure.
Final Thoughts
We hope by reading this article you now know how to attach a TV mount to an RV wall, whilst having peace of mind that it will stay safe and secure whilst you are in transit.
Following this guide should make it a simple process and you should be on your way to cuddling up watching your favorite TV program, catching up on the news, or viewing a late-night movie marathon with a big bag of popcorn after a long day of hiking through national parks.
This guide is perfect if you want to hook up your TV to the RV antenna or satellite TV in your RV, and if your TV is a smart TV, it’s not ready to connect to your wifi and provide you all the Netflix you can imagine. Now grab those tools and a friend to help, and get mounting!
Through this blog, I want to share all of my hints and tips, along with reviews of the best RVing accessories. I hope this blog will help others with their RV trips, and make traveling easier for you.
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