Forum Discussion

NeverBeCloser's avatar
Mar 13, 2018

How Much TV Weight Will A Wall Support

Hello!

My husband and I have just purchased our very first RV - a 2014 Open Range Light 315BHS. We will be full timing with our 2 dogs and 2 cats, stationary for the first year, then traveling the western U.S for a year (or maybe longer).

We are trying to see if our current TV would fit in the RV. Dimensions-wise, it will be a bit tight, but my husband is willing to make the compromise in order to have the TV. My question is- if mounted where the TV bracket is supposed to go, how much weight can be hung on the wall?

We would take the TV down when we travel so it doesn’t accidentally fly off the wall. The TV weighs 29# and the spot it would go would require an extendable bracket that would be partially extended at all times. There is an entertainment center/shelving unit that is about 5.5 inches deep that would normally contain the TV. We would be mounting the bracket in the TV space of the entertainment center, but the TV itself would be in front of the entertainment center frame.

7 Replies

  • Thank you all for the replies!

    Yes, the location has the sticker indicating that is where the TV mount should be. So it might have a metal sheet behind the wall. I’ll use a stud finger to see if it picks up on more metal in the area. But, as I don’t want to destroy the wall, extra reinforcement can’t hurt! The plywood suggestions are perfect!
  • Most units have an area marked for a tv mount. They put in a thin piece of metal behind the wall for you to screw into.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Rv Walls are often your basic "paper thin" Wood with styrafoam backing.

    But you find a STUD, nice and strong.

    If wall mounting, find TWO studs, and cut a slab of 3/4" Plywood or streatch a 2x12 between them and lag bolt it in then lag into the 2x or bolt into the ply
  • Well Kate, not being familiar with you rig but from your description, you should be okay using that area to mount your TV. You did state that your mounting would be where it is supposed to go, I would guess you have some sort of info from the manufacturer on that.

    Personally I would check as best I could to make sure the wall is reinforced and there is something back there that will hold the mounting screws. Stud sensors can be used as well as the press or knock test. If pressing on the suggested mounting area has give to it, or if the area sounds hollow, I would consider Ivylog's suggestion with this stipulation, finding something back there to screw to, like a stud or piece of cabinet framing.

    Using a very small drill bit, drill a test hole in the wall. You should be able to feel resistance for more than the first 1/10 inch.

    I hang a lot of stuff on RV walls but not a TV unless I know there is more than just the standard wall board.
  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    I would glue and screw a 1/2" board a couple inches bigger than the mount to the area where it's going. This will give you enough thickness that the four screws for the mount will have plenty of wood to screw into.
  • Can you install a piece of wood across the opening of the entertainment center where the TV would normally go? That way there would not be a need for the extended mount. The TV would cover the piece of wood (plywood) and the cabinetry of the entertainment center would carry the load. That is what I did when I replaced the 90# CRT in my MH with a flat screen. Has worked out well for years.
  • What is in back of the mount bracket wall? Can you possibly back that area up with a piece of plywood?

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