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pthomann · 05-08-2023, 10:42 AM

Hello All,
I have a question concerning TV mounting ideas: Our 2006 Forest River Cardinal 5th Wheel trailer has the old style, smaller TV locations that are "built-in" to the existing cabinetry. I am curious as to what others have done to add mounts for larger, flat panel TV's of todays era. Looking for Ideas!

Thanks

**hamm2018** · 05-09-2023, 05:33 PM

If possible, consider at televator, if you have room in any floor cabinets.

traveldawg · 05-09-2023, 08:11 PM

Gosh - how many times have I done this.... a lot. Each conversion is different.

Since you are going from a square TV to a wide and more narrow TV the first thing is to determine just how wide physically your new TV can be; it doesn't have anything to do with screen size - it is the width measurement you need to consider. Then you can get a replacement TV.

Here are some photos of one that I did than is a good example.... I used 1/2" tubular steel but aluminum or even a piece of plywood can be used... Mount the TV to the bracket or plywood and at the top and bottom of the existing frame you can then mount the brackets or plywood to some bracing you put in the old opening. Then you just have to finish out the framing to hide the top and bottom openings of the old frame.

Alternately, if you can, remove all the old box and completely rebuild the cabinet, framing, trim.... lots of woodworking skills needed for that.....

Toby Dog · 05-10-2023, 03:26 AM

Nice job.

Squantobon · 06-03-2023, 10:10 AM

Looking at a similar upgrade to our new Cougar. The TV is decent size and contained in a cabinet box above the dinette window. It's on a mount that can bring it out almost 2' and then angle right or left. But we never do that because the recliners are straight out from it. However, it's a little weird looking up at it. I want to change the mount to an 'over the mantel' type mount to bring it out and down. With that, I will then get a larger TV that will cover the side cabinets but they will still be accessible with the tv extended. The biggest question for me is: Should I attach the mount to the trailer wall like the current mount, or should add some bracing to the front of the cabinet and mount it there so the mount can be fully retracted?

traveldawg · 06-03-2023, 06:22 PM

I'm thinking that some pictures of what you are working with would help. Sort of hard to imagine it now. Typically cabinets are not a good foundation for holding TVs. But every rig is different.

Squantobon · 06-08-2023, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by traveldawg

I'm thinking that some pictures of what you are working with would help. Sort of hard to imagine it now. Typically cabinets are not a good foundation for holding TVs. But every rig is different.

Guessing that was for me?

The depth of the cabinet is about 9 inches. The TV is actually attached to the exterior wall. I plan to change the mounting to this one:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/155560252696

PNWGirl · 06-08-2023, 10:14 AM

Each RV is different. For one of my TV's I pulled out the CRT (which is a WHOLE lot heavier than an LED) and found that it had 2x4 bracing. I purchased a RV swing arm mount and put it (I have a 43" LED) onto the 2x4. It works perfectly and I can use the space behind it (where the CRT was) for my 4K bluray player and a few other things.

https://www.amazon.com/Mounting-Drea...s%2C149&sr=1-4

traveldawg · 06-08-2023, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squantobon

Guessing that was for me?

The depth of the cabinet is about 9 inches. The TV is actually attached to the exterior wall. I plan to change the mounting to this one:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/155560252696

Thanks for the photos. It looks like there must be some kind of backing to mount the existing TV. So, theoretically, you could put that mount you have your eye on.

You can "probe" that wall with a brad nail. Hammer it in and if it goes real easy after about 1/4" then there is nothing behind the wall. But if it hits some bracing (likely plywood install when the rig was built) then you know you have some blocking to screw a mount into.

ArtJoyce · 06-08-2023, 06:33 PM

I finished my cabinet out with oak like the mh wood work. I recessed the inside of the opening by about 2.5 inches. And put a board across just large enough to hang a flat screen tv mount. The remaining area I put a cabinet door that can be accessed when the TV swings out.