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Str8ball1's avatar
Str8ball1
Explorer
Jul 23, 2019

Need help: exterior tv mount on fiberglass camper

I have looked all over for instructions on this.

I want to install a tv mount to the outside of my fiberglass toyhauler for tailgating at football games.

I have read many descriptions of how to drill through fiberglass but I havent seen anything about the material often used between the mount and the fiberglass.

It looks like some kind of soft puddy that keeps the mount from actually contacting the side of the camper.

Anybody know what people use or any other help with this project would be appreciated.

Things I have learned.

1. Drill in reverse.
2. Use painter tape on the drill point

Not sure whether to use screws or go through the side and use bolts. The mount I have seen on one used screws.
  • Don't have one or any mounting suggestions but thought I would mention a setup I saw in the Keys last winter. This may be common or not. My neighbor had his tv mount attached inside of the storage compartment so that when retracted it was inside the compartment, not attached to the outside wall at all. I believe the tv stayed attached. Downside would be eating up your storage area and of course you would need a storage area where you want the tv. Just a thought. I would not do it because our TT has limited storage, plus we don't need / want an outside tv, but most 5th's and toyhaulers have more storage compartments.
  • I think you're talking about some sort of a sealant. There are a few reasonable options to use. Butyl rubber tape (as is used for RV window frames, trim strips, etc.) is one option. Particularly for small odds and ends like baggage door hold-open clips, plumber's putty works pretty well and is easy to get and inexpensive. Some sort of a urethane caulking compound (Geocel Pro-Flex, OSI Quad, etc.) is another reasonable choice; though avoid silicone as it is very difficult to renew or touch up if needed since basically nothing will stick to cured silicone. Dicor non-sag compound would also work (but not their self-leveling lap joint compound, which on a vertical surface will self-level its way down the wall).

    In any case, the main goal is not so much to keep the thing from touching the fiberglass as it is to ensure a watertight seal around the penetrations through the fiberglass.

    If you have something reasonably solid to mount to (a stud preferably) screws are perfectly fine. Even if you're just mounting to the exterior skin, they'd probably be okay; it's not like you'll be driving with the TV attached, one hopes. Factory installations probably have a backing board or something similar built into the wall for the screws to be driven into, but adding one after the fact is not practical. Bolting through the wall means having a chunk of metal with no thermal break going through the wall, which is hardly what one would prefer if it's going into the heated/cooled interior of the RV, besides looking rather hokey on the inside.