Has anyone replaced their TV that is over the cab with a larger screen, lighter weight TV with one from a regular store vs. RV dealer? Any special connection issues, such as power supply etc.?Thanks!

An "ideal" replacement TV is one that runs directly off 12V to use less battery energy. Unfortunately the bigger TVs drop the external 12V-ish transformer. Also, not every smaller TV has an external 12V-ish transformer. You have to shop around for one.It is not a disaster to have a 120V television requiring the need for a separate power inverter to convert your RV-12V to 120V. It's just going to drain your house battery faster.I think RV supply centers sell TVs with an external power supply, but at elevated prices. If you find one you like at a Camping World for example, you might find the exact same TV sold at a regular store or on-line for a lot cheaper.One thing about television model numbers. Each store has it's own specific model number for virtually the same TV so you cannot exercise price-matching. Differences if any are miniscule. So keep that in-mind when shopping around.

Our rv had a built in analog tv. We eventually replaced it with a lighter, bigger smart tv. My husband took out the analog tv, installed an arm that held the new tv (placed this over the hole left by the analog), and plugged in the television and cable. I THINK we also got a new antenna-not sure if we had to or wanted to (sorry, this was awhile ago). Either way, none of this was expensive or hard to do. We got a regular television (no special rv tv) at Walmart.

Our C has cabinets above the cab, no bed, with the TV "hole" in the middle. Tossed that old small TV and got a swing-out arm attached to the side of the "hole" where there is a good piece of wood in the corner of the cabinet to take the screws--has to be strong for the TV on the arm when hitting bumps on the road or whatever.Got a 32" TV that goes on the arm and it sits across the "hole". The TV can be aimed and it tilts down a little so it is good for viewing. It does not flop around going down the road, but Bungy cords to a hook inside the "hole" could hold it.TV plugs into 120v (inverter powered when off-grid) and uses the same antenna panel as the old one for the coax. The "hole" is a good place for the DVD player if its remote can see under the TV ok.TV can be pushed aside and pulled out to open the cabinet doors

The replacement tv type will depend on how you use your rv. If you’re hooked up in CG’s with power you can use any tv. If you boondock it would be best for you to shop around for a 12 volt model. My 40” is a 12 volt model but uses 65 watts. I installed a 3rd agm battery specifically for the tv and sat recvr. If you can get by with a smaller tv it would be beneficial while boondocking.When / if you mount it using a swing pivot mount, i would add a web strap or two to secure it to the wall. Snug it up to prevent bouncing, i have seen a few rip off the wall mounts. Sometimes you have to mount some plywood onto the wall using a lot of screws with spacers , then bolt the mount to the wood. The spacers on the screws allow you the needed clearance to install the nuts for the bolts.

bobndot wrote:The replacement tv type will depend on how you use your rv. My 40” is a 12 volt model but uses 65 watts.Could you share what brand and model 40" you have that operates at 65 watts?Our 26" 120V Samsung TV runs very hot, so much that I installed a computer fan behind it to cool it down. It's confinement does not help the situation. A new edge-lit 32" 12V TV may use much less power, hence run cooler and use less energy.Our 26" has lots of frame. For a while now, the 32" is almost frameless so the over-all size is the same. I'd like to compare the specs on power consumption of what I have to what I would buy to determine if it is worth the effort and cost.Here is our 26". It is mounted securely without an arm. There is not a lot of breathing room around it....air circulation is poor.

Replacing Over-the-Cab TV | Good Sam Community

11 Replies

ron_dittmer
Explorer III
Jan 14, 2021
An "ideal" replacement TV is one that runs directly off 12V to use less battery energy. Unfortunately the bigger TVs drop the external 12V-ish transformer. Also, not every smaller TV has an external 12V-ish transformer. You have to shop around for one.

It is not a disaster to have a 120V television requiring the need for a separate power inverter to convert your RV-12V to 120V. It's just going to drain your house battery faster.

I think RV supply centers sell TVs with an external power supply, but at elevated prices. If you find one you like at a Camping World for example, you might find the exact same TV sold at a regular store or on-line for a lot cheaper.

One thing about television model numbers. Each store has it's own specific model number for virtually the same TV so you cannot exercise price-matching. Differences if any are miniscule. So keep that in-mind when shopping around.

Forum Discussion

Replacing Over-the-Cab TV

11 Replies

About Motorhome Group

Related Content

Over the cab storage

replace over the cab bed with cabinets for storage

5er that extends over the cab

Replace TV

Modify OR Access Easily Over cab Bed for the Older Camper