Rear view monitor

[SDPilot]

Around a year ago I replaced the OEM TV with a Vizio flat screen and was very pleased with the change. However, looking almost straight up to look at it while backing up was less than satisfactory. First, it was uncomfortable, but more importantly, like most flat screen TVs, when looking at an acute angle, the picture was practically unviewable.

Went to Fry's and got the cheapest fold down monitor I could find (7 inch, $69.00) and mounted it on the bottom of the TV cabinet. Drilled one hole in the cabinet (hidden by the monitor), and connected the rear camera directly into one RCA line from the monitor (which, by the way, is 12 volt, so don't have to run the inverter when using the rear view camera), and it drops down directly in front of me, but doesn't interfere with view straight ahead, so can use it as full time rear view mirror, to check on the toad, or just traffic, or only when backing up - my choice.

When I don't want it on, just fold it up against the bottom of the cabinet. Total installation time, about 1 hour.

[jerry davis]

How about a picture or two of the install.

[SDPilot]

Will do. It might take a day or two (holiday visitors, etc.) but I will get several pictures up.

[SDPilot]

Here are some photos of the installation. The last one is the monitor that I bought.

[Jeff and Cheryl]

SD,
Great pictures. What a good use of the sunshade arm! Also, I recognize the silver stuff in the window. I've used that for light blocking myself.

[J Rod]

How did you secure the TV and what size did you select?

[bcbowers]

I guess I'm missing something ... what happened to the original rear monitor in the dash?

[Jeff and Cheryl]

BC,
On the '98's and 99's the TV over the driver's head was the monitor. At least for the front door models.

[SDPilot]

The TV is a 22 inch. I used an articulating arm attached to right side. The TV is wedged in and held in place with the padded strip on the right. It is supported (to protect the arm and to keep it from bouncing) with the darker strip of nauga covered wood. That is also wedged in and held in place by the strip on the right. If I need to get behind the TV, I just remove two screws from the strip, pull that out, and just swing the TV out and to the right. Lots of room behind it for wires and hookups.

[EngineerMike]

Maybe if you add an A/B switch you can you watch Oprah on the little screen while driving?

[Algoma]

My installation is slightly different. The 22" was too small for me so I bought a 26" TV and used a wall mount bracket to attach to a plywood panel that fits in the old TV enclosure. The rear view monitor is 8.5" .
I also replaced those useless visors with power shades that cover both sides of the windshield and can be remotely operated.

[J Rod]

I mounted our new 26" in a similar manner. Will post photos and details when I return to the coach in mid January. I will be at Quartzite if any have inquiries.
How do you secure TV for travel? I have not developed a method of securing the TV for travel that I am comfortable with.

[Theberrys]

I did the same thing with a 9" monitor. Because I had to put it in the middle on my rig I found a $70 unit that tilted and swiveled, it works out very well.
I also installed a collision warning system to help me know when I'm too close to objects I can’t see. The cost for the warning system was about $80.

Dick

[EngineerMike]

Dick- what is the brand, model, cost & supplier for the collision system?