Community Forums

wanderso · 11-22-2011, 11:15 PM

I just purchased a 2001 Fleetwood Jamboree (24', chevy chassis) and am looking to install a 19" LCD TV on an articulating mount. See the image below for the mount that I purchased. This is a sturdy mount; I used it in a different Class C that I owned, installing it on a stud above the fridge with the same Vizio E190VA 19" TV ($150 on closeout at Walmart by the way, well reviewed, thin and light).

In this case, I'm hoping to install it on the left wall behind the driver's seat, near enough to the antenna/CATV connection. The goal is to have the mount low enough so that the top of the TV doesn't end up higher than the top of that left wall in the picture. I saw a newer Class C that used this identical mount (shown) and the same location but I'm unsure what they screwed the mount into. My question is - how can I best find a place for this mount that is substantial enough to mount it safely? (either a stud or a metal cross member). Unfortunately, this rig didn't have a TV cabinet and I see the overhead cabinets as being too "wimpy" of material to handle the road vibrations. (TV is 6.7 pounds, mount is 2.7 pounds for 9.4 pounds total).

I'm not wanting to lose an existing overhead storage bin and install a false plywood front in place of the door either.

Thoughts of how I can confirm where this can be safely mounted?

LendingHand · 11-29-2011, 03:32 PM

I have a couple ideas on what I would do but before I offer you advise I am going to ask a couple of questions to one of my techs and get back to you. I want to be sure I offer you the right answer. I will be in touch within a few days.

mikf · 11-29-2011, 04:03 PM

I will be interested in what LendingHand comes up with, but why not mount it to the partition behind the drivers seat? I can not remeber if that partition is 1/2 inch or 3/4 inch thick. but either way that should hold your tv, but I would not extend it when traveling.

LendingHand · 11-30-2011, 02:02 PM

mikf is on the right track. After talking with one of my installers, the 3/4 decking behind the drivers seat is going o be your best bet for the size and weight of the TV. Should have no problems with vibration or stucture if actual weight is around 10lbs. If you need any additional help let me know.

Max Hubrich · 12-01-2011, 08:00 AM

wanderso-

Add a "L" shaped steel bracket from the bottom of the overhead cabinet to the partition wall. Or maybe on the forward end of the overhead cabinet. Place it near where the TV wall mount is going to be located. It'll be mostly hidden by the TV.

Got to Lowes and buy a 3 foot piece of flat steel, maybe 1/2" wide, 3/32" thick, cut it and shape it to fit your application, bending it as needed, and drill mounting holes in it. Then Paint it, and the screws, flat white.

It'll give you all the support you'll need.

Good luck,

PS- I've done about 5 TV upgrades for myself and friends. They all love their new installations.

LendingHand · 12-01-2011, 08:45 AM

Max....Thanks or the input. I am a sales manager for a dealer in MA. I was only offering solutions to an unasnwered thread. The fix is for memeber "wanderso" There are so many ways to do what he is looking to accomplish. Maybe he would prefer to use the method you recomended.

mr300ce · 12-01-2011, 08:54 AM

If it were my install, I would use bolts all the way through the partition wall, and a plate on the back side to give strength to the wall.

Also, as mentioned above, try to tie the wall into the cabinet. Vibration, bumps, and turns and such while driving will be your concerns.

Max Hubrich · 12-01-2011, 08:59 AM

Lendinghand-

Opps, I goofed. I still could "edit" my response in time to correct my mistake-

I certainly wasn't trying to correct you- I was just adding another comment on the question posed.

Sorry-

wanderso · 12-02-2011, 08:31 AM

These are several very good options. Thank you very much for your thoughts. The partition wall is my preferred location based on viewing locations. I'm also intrigued by the corner L-Bracket as I hadn't pondered that one and it does have the bonus of being the best option for hiding the cabling that would be coming from the nearby cabinet (RG6 cable antenna jack and power are located on the bottom of the overhead cabinet)

The 'gotcha' of my preferred partition wall location appears to be if I want to have the bolts all the way through for long-term road-worthiness (as suggested) the bracket will have to be mounted near the top of the partition so that the back side where the nuts attach are exposed in the cabover bunk area. That would be the most secure, but the TV likely will be in the way for bunk sleeper entry/exit. The ideal spot to mount for viewing and avoiding this appears to be about 1 foot lower on than that on the partition wall. It does indeed seem to be wood and could support the weight, although the "bite" of the 2 screws will be 3/4" or so at best and I obviously want to avoid an "oops" of causing a bulge from the screw on the exterior of the RV. The good news though is that it is only a little over 10 pounds including the bracket in weight. The bracket of course came with substantial lag-screw sized screws that are 2" in length (overkill)

I'm hoping to do the install this weekend after a bit more thinking.. I will post the results.

LendingHand · 12-02-2011, 08:42 AM

Max...I didnt take it as a correction. I think we are all here to help. I have been around this business for awhile now. I know I will never stop learning, I appreciate the feed back.

LendingHand · 12-02-2011, 10:52 AM

wanderso......I would also use the partition wall to mount from as well. If it were me I would hide the wires one of two ways. Option# 1 - I would get some seam tape from your local RV store that matches the wallboard behind the driver. This should be enought to blend the wires into the the partition paper patern. Run it straight down to the floor under the TV and cover with tape. Im guessing you are only going to run a coax and a poower cord. Option #2 -to hide wires on the partition would be run them through the bottom behind the drivers seat. Them drill them back through behind the plate. Again seam tape them behined the drivers seat so they dont get snagged. This all depends on where your attenna boost button and coax Output is wired to the coach. If it is higher mounted I might use the the raceway in the headliner from Ford in the chassis cab.....let me know if you need more ideas.

wanderso · 12-03-2011, 10:15 PM

Here is the result of my install thus far. I did do the install on the partition. As I was paranoid about the thickness of the plywood and somehow the screws being too long, I used #10-24 1.5 inch bolt studs (course thread on .75 inch and wood screw on .75 inch). I then drilled pilot holes and used double nuts to make a temporary bolt "head" to screw these into the partition. The bracket then sits over these two studs which I placed stainless steel washers and lock nuts. This option seemed to give me the ability to have the best 'bite' for holding the bracket in the partition material.

To keep the TV articulating mount from moving while traveling, I ordered a Ready America 4520 Flat Screen TV Safety Strap that I will attach to the back of the TV and the partition wall. (secures with screws to the wall) This allows me to easily unlock the TV to move as needed and I preferred this option over using an (admittedly less expensive) battery tie down strap. It will also reduce vibration pressure on the articulating mount screws themselves.

I only show one position of the TV here, but the articulating mount allows for many viewing angles.

To hide wiring, I will likely do a raceway like what is suggested in an earlier post. This will be able to be hidden behind the tv except for about 2 inches to the left where it will re-enter the cabinet where I will have a DVD player, access to the existing antenna wiring, and ports for HDMI and AV.